Bioregulatory Systems Medicine

WHITE PAPER
Bioregulatory
Systems Medicine Model
Targeting biological networks

to enhance autoregulatory capacity
Authors Contributing Reviewers
Yvonne Burmeister, Ph.D. Brian M. Berman, M.D.
Konstantin Cesnulevicius, M.D., Ph.D. Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Alyssa W. Goldman, M.A. Timothy A. McCaffrey, Ph.D.
David W. Lescheid, Ph.D., N.D. Georges St. Laurent III (), Ph.D.
Myron Schultz, M.Dip.H. Maria Shkolnikova, M.D., Ph.D.
Bernd Seilheimer, Ph.D.
Alta Smit, M.B.BCh., B.Sc.(Phys), M.F. (Hom)
Copyright 2016 Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.

Rights Reserved

Copyright 2016 Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.
Rights Reserved.
Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Published March 2016 - Copyright Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH. Rights Reserved Page 2

Abstract
The purpose of this White Paper is to present a novel model of Bioregulatory Systems Medicine (BrSM), and
to convey the value of the bioregulatory approach in addressing many of the most pressing challenges of
disease complexity that medicine faces today. We believe that bioregulatory systems medicine enhances
the current medical paradigm, potentially bridging the gap to improve patient outcomes. The model
described in this document represents a consensus understanding of the core elements fundamental to
defining Bioregulatory Systems Medicine and the unique relationships among those elements, as derived
from the individual perspectives of medical scientific experts, clinicians, and initiative leaders. A group
conceptualization method, concept mapping, was used to systematically aggregate the perspectives of these
individuals to produce the resultant model. The implications of the conceptual relationships that emerge
within the model and in the broader context of clinical and research settings are discussed. A fundamental
outcome of the model development process is the concept that the bioregulatory approach is driven by
the goal of stimulating resolution processes through consideration of the communication and information
pathways of the human organism. We conclude with a summary of this and other major insights derived
from the model and how these findings can contribute to addressing the challenges faced by medicine today.


Contributors Authors
Yvonne Burmeister, Ph.D., Department of Medical Affairs &
A group of twelve experts from the BrSM Initiative contributed
Research, Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH
as authors and reviewers to the development of a White Paper
in order to consolidate the insights of the initiative on the Konstantin Cesnulevicius, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Medical
concept of Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. Affairs & Research, Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH
The authors believe that the proposed concept of the Alyssa W. Goldman, M.A., Cornell University, Concept Systems,
Bioregulatory Systems Medicine will enhance the current Inc.
medical paradigm, potentially closing existing gaps to improve David W. Lescheid, Ph.D., N.D., International Academy of
patient outcomes. Bioregulatory Medicine
Myron Schultz, M.Dip.H., Department of Medical Affairs &
Bernd Seilheimer, Ph.D., Department of Medical Affairs &
Alta Smit, M.B.BCh., B.Sc.(Phys), M.F.(Hom), Department of
Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH
Contributing reviewers
Brian M. Berman, M.D., University of Maryland School of
Medicine, The Institute for Integrative Health
Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School,
Massachusetts General Hospital, TRANSCEND Research
Program, Harvard-MIT-MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical
Imaging
Timothy A. McCaffrey, Ph.D., George Washington Medical
Center
() Georges St. Laurent III, Ph.D., St. Laurent Institute
Maria Shkolnikova, M.D., Ph.D., Veltischev Research and
Clinical Institute for Pediatrics at the Pirogov Russian National
Research Medical University


Biographies
Short biographies of contributors are listed in alphabetical
order.
Yvonne Burmeister, Ph.D.

Department of Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische
Heilmittel Heel GmbH
Brian M. Berman, M.D. Yvonne Burmeister gained her research experience at the Max
Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, the Clinic of
University of Maryland School of Medicine Urology of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Professor, Family & Community Medicine and the Robert Koch-Institute in the Department of Immune
Founder & Director, Center for Integrative Medicine Defense Mechanisms. While at the Robert Koch-Institute,
she studied the role of the inducible co-stimulator molecule
The Institute for Integrative Health, Founder & President for T-cell activation and effector function. Her strong interest
in immunological research and its clinical application has
Brian Berman is recognized as a pioneer in the field of
developed into a fascination for novel therapy concepts that
integrative medicine. In 1991, he founded the Center for
intend to target and treat complex multifactorial disease
Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of
patterns.
Medicine - the first program of its kind at a U.S. academic health
center. The recipient of more than $30 million in National Dr. Burmeister served as a faculty member of science in
Institutes of Health research funding, he has published the Department of Chemistry at Technische Universitt
extensively on acupuncture and mind/body medicine in such Dresden and earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Biology
prestigious journals as the Annals of Internal Medicine and the at Humboldt Universitt zu Berlin. In 2010 she joined
New England Journal of Medicine. He served as the first chair Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH in Baden-Baden, Germany
of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative as Preclinical Project Manager to lead various research
Medicine, which now includes over 55 member institutions. projects in the specific areas of inflammation, lymphatic
Additionally, Dr. Berman co-founded and currently serves as biology, gastrointestinal diseases and liver diseases. Since
field coordinator for the complementary medicine field within 2016 she took the position of Systems Research Manager.
the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization ______________________________________________
that evaluates medical practices through systematic reviews
of research literature. He is also founder and president of The
Institute for Integrative Health, a not-for-profit organization
whose purpose is to catalyze new ideas in health care and
focus on the promotion of health. He serves on the McCormick
Science Institutes Advisory Board, the National Pain Strategy
Professional Education and Training Working Group, the
American Pain Society Task Force on Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, and the NIH/NCAAM Advisory Board. In
addition, Dr. Berman is a practicing family physician and pain
management specialist.
Konstantin Cesnulevicius, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Berman was the 2005 recipient of the Bravewell Leadership
Award for his achievements in transforming healthcare in Department of Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische
America and ushering in a new practice of medicine. Heilmittel Heel GmbH
______________________________________________ Konstantin Cesnulevicius studied medicine at Lithuanian

University of Health Sciences and earned his M.D. in General
Practice at Vilnius University in 2003. During undergraduate
studies he became especially interested in the molecular
biology and genetics of diseases. As a recipient of
Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg Scholarship from the federal


land of Lower Saxony (Germany) joined the Ph.D. Program at from Simon Fraser University, and has additional training
the Center for Systems Neuroscience in Hannover in 2004. While in IV therapies, homotoxicology, homeopathy and different
working on his Ph.D. he authored and co-authored several forms of bodywork. He is a frequent guest speaker at various
publications on stem cell therapy applications in Parkinsons professional seminars, and has published extensively on
disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. He pursued a complementary and alternative medicine.
postdoctoral appointment at Karolinska University in Sweden
where he researched spatiotemporal gene expression patterns ______________________________________________
during the embryogenesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans
model using cutting-edge real-time imaging.
Dr. Cesnulevicius joined Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH in

Baden-Baden in 2008 to fulfill his interest in bringing scientific
innovations closer to medicine, in part through the work of
pharmaceutical companies that pursue innovative medical
thinking in their mission. Since joining Heel, he has worked
in the Department of Medical Affairs & Research in various
positions related to scientific communication. Since 2016, he
serves as a Senior Medical Advisor Systems Biology/Systems
Medicine, Lead Scientific Communication leading projects on
scientific dissemination of research at Heel. Alyssa W. Goldman, M.A.
Cornell University, Department of Sociology
______________________________________________
Concept Systems, Inc.
Alyssa Goldman is a Client Services Consultant at Concept

Systems, Inc., where she has led a number of client projects in
the areas of research, evaluation, strategic planning and needs
assessment. She has consulted on the use of group concept
mapping in a range of contexts including medical and clinical
paradigm development, mental health, chronic disease
prevention, health promotion, and criminal justice.
Prior to joining the CSI team, Goldman worked at Cornell

Universitys Johnson Graduate School of Management as
David W. Lescheid, Ph.D., N.D. a Visiting Scholar in the Management and Organizations
Department, where she assisted faculty members with
International Academy of Bioregulatory Medicine research projects and course development. She holds a Masters
degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and a
David Lescheid is currently the MedicoScientific Manager at the
Bachelors degree in Psychology and Government from Cornell
International Academy of Bioregulatory Medicine in Baden-
University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at
Baden, Germany, where he uses modern scientific literature to
Cornell University in Sociology.
support the principles and practice of bioregulatory medicine.
Prior to this position, he was a Professor of Physiology ______________________________________________
and Microbiology for five years at the Canadian College of
Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Additionally, he spent four
years practicing full-time in a large multidisciplinary health
clinic in Ottawa with specialized interests in the immune
system and infectious disease, mens health issues, obesity
concerns, and sports medicine. He has been a member of
several federal and international committees including the
Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) to Health Canada, the
Council for Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and
other government and media relations subcommittees.
Dr. Lescheid graduated with honors from the Canadian Martha Herbert, M.D., Ph.D.
College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in 2002. He earned
his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Protein Chemistry from Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
the University of Victoria, having completed his B.Sc. in Pediatric Neurologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Biology. He earned a Diploma in Health and Fitness studies


Director of the TRANSCEND Research Program, Harvard-MIT- Tropical Medicine

MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging Director, the Division of Genomic Medicine, The George
Martha Herbert is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Washington Medical Center
Harvard Medical School, a Pediatric Neurologist at the
Timothy A. McCaffrey is the Director of the Division of Genomic
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and an affiliate
Medicine at the George Washington University Medical
of the Harvard-MIT-MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical
Center. The Genomic Medicine division is focused on clinical
Imaging, where she is director of the TRANSCEND Research
and translational research to facilitate genomically-guided
Program (Treatment Research and Neuroscience Evaluation
diagnosis and prognosis, with emphasis on creating new
of Neurodevelopmental Disorders). She received the first Cure
diagnostic tests for predicting people who are at risk for
Autism Now Innovator Award, and is Medical Director of the
developing heart disease. The recipient of multiple research
Documenting Hope project, which aims to provide a proof-of-
grants, he has published extensively on applications of
concept laboratory and film documentation of the recovery
genomic medicine to the study of cardiovascular disease, and
of children with common serious chronic illness and to lay
continues to explore related topics on genomics and stem cells
the foundation for a community-based systems biology of
in his laboratory. He has taught various courses in the fields
recovery.
of genomics, medical biochemistry and molecular biology,
Dr. Herbert earned her medical degree at the Columbia and has also developed courses in personalized genomics for
University College of Physicians and Surgeons, prior to medical and graduate students. He serves as an Executive
which she obtained a doctoral degree at the University of Editor of Gene, a Senior Investigator for St. Laurent Institute,
California, Santa Cruz, studying evolution and development and as an active Board Member with the Katzen Cancer Center
of learning processes in biology and culture in the History of Scientific Board, and The George Washington University Heart
Consciousness program. She completed postdoctoral work in & Vascular Institute.
the philosophy and history of science, and trained in pediatrics
Dr. McCaffrey earned his Bachelors degree from St. Marys
at Cornell University Medical Center and in neurology and
University, and his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Purdue
child neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital where
University. He completed his Post-Doctoral training at Weill
she continues to work today. Her main research interest lies
Cornell Medical College, where he later became an Associate
in using brain imaging to link tissue pathophysiology and
Professor in the Department of Medicine and founded their
electrophysiological signaling, which will help place autism
Genomics Core Facility.
in the context of chronic illness across the lifespan, and show
mechanisms by which a whole body-brain systems approach ______________________________________________
and an appreciation of how environmental vulnerability affects
brain and body health may point to avenues for plasticity and
recovery. In her recent book, The Autism Revolution: Whole
Body Strategies for Making Life All it Can Be, she presents
research and case studies that support this paradigm-shift in
understanding autism as a collection of problems that can
be overcome. She has established the Body-Brain Resilience
Center and the Higher Synthesis Science program to implement
whole-body based environmentally grounded brain science in
a clinical setting.
______________________________________________
Myron Schultz, M.Dip.H.

Department of Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische
Heilmittel Heel GmbH
Myron Schultz is the Head of Medicine at Biologische Heilmittel

Heel GmbH in Germany. Prior to this position, he served as
Heels Head of Global Medical Education and the Head of Global
Medical Affairs. Before this he taught pathology at the Durban
University of Technology and hosted the pathology practical
and ward rounds at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine
Timothy A. McCaffrey, Ph.D. and R.K. Khan Hospital respectively, and was in private clinical
practice. In addition he also applied his expertise as the Clinical
Professor of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology, and Director of the 5th and 6th year day clinic for the Department of


Homeopathy Technikon Natal. member of the Council of Scientific and Business Advisors
of the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimers Center and Research
Dr. Schultz assisted Dr. Jan Kersschot in further developing Institute, Florida, USA, for several years.
the methodology in Biopuncture and at the University of
Johannesburg created and instructed the first undergraduate ______________________________________________
Biopuncture course. Dr. Schultz completed his Masters
Diploma in Technology of Homeopathy at Durban University
of Technology in South Africa, and holds advanced training in
Biopuncture by Dr. Jan Kersschot in Belgium.
______________________________________________
Maria A. Shkolnikova, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Medicine,
Director of the Institute, Veltischev Research and Clinical
Institute for Pediatrics at the Pirogov Russian National
Research Medical University
Bernd Seilheimer, Ph.D. Maria A. Shkolnikova is a professor of Medicine and Director of
Department of Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische the Institute (Research and Clinical Institute for Pediatrics at
Heilmittel Heel GmbH the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University) and
chief of Federal Russian Centre for Childrens Arrhythmia. As an
Bernd Seilheimer has served as the Head of Research at experienced cardiologist, she has more than three decades of
Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH in Baden-Baden, Germany professional practice in clinical, scientific and administrative
since 2009. From 2016 he took the position of the Head of work in pediatrics and cardiology. She is an accomplished
Systems Research & Development. He is recognized for his researcher, authoring and co-authoring over 200 publications
breakthrough research in the central and peripheral nervous in her field in Russian and 85 in English. Her research interests
system, completed during both his undergraduate and post is related to the analysis of early detection, differential
graduate work at the University of Heidelberg. While working diagnostics, and treatment of life-threatening cardiac
on his PhD, he published widely on cell adhesion research arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, epidemiology of CVD, and
focusing on Schwann cells. He discovered a functional role of issues related to cardiac functioning and its regulation by the
their low-affinity NGF receptors. As a recipient of a Harvard autonomic nervous system.
Medical School research fellowship under Professor Huntington
Potter, he further expanded his research on the regeneration of Dr. Shkolnikova collaborates with the Max Planck Institute for
the central nervous system, in particular Alzheimers disease. Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany in developing a
research project that includes 24-hour ECG (Holter) monitoring
As Research Associate at the Harvard Medical School, Dr. as a new source of biomarkers in biodemographic surveys.
Seilheimer was hired as a consultant on NGF by Hoffman Additional research includes a full-scale survey on Stress,
La Roche during the acquisition of Genentech. He was Aging, and Health in Russia, which is being conducted as the
later appointed as the Senior CNS and PNS expert in Basel, central part of an NIA R01 (J.W.Vaupel is a PI) grant on the
Switzerland where he initiated innovative, highly prioritized Biodemography of Disease and Death in Russia. She is also
CNS projects. He also headed the CNS Research Department heavily involved in the analysis of other biomarker data and
at Schering AG in Berlin, Germany, where he was recognized sex differences in health and mortality.
for his achievements in establishing a global research network
of strategic alliances with leading universities and institutions. Dr. Shkolnikova received several scientific awards. Among
In this position, he also delivered development candidates them, the Lenins Komsomol prize in medicine in 1988, the First
in stroke and Alzheimers disease. He later broadened his Prize for Medical Research in 2002 by the Moscow Government,
expertise across R&D as Head of Global R&D Risk Management. Honour Reward of Excellence in 2015 by the Ministry of Health
and Certificate of Honour in 2015 by the Senate of the Russian
From 2002 to 2010 Dr. Seilheimer was an active board member Federation. She was awarded at the International Congress
of the European Neuroscience Institute (ENI), Gttingen where on the Electrostimulation and Electrophysiology of the Heart
he has been instrumental in the process of establishing ENI as (Cardiostim) in 1993. The Higher Attestation Commission of the
a leading institute in Neurosciences. He has also served as a Russian Federation has granted her the title of Professor since


1996. She holds memberships and leadership appointments

with multiple prestigious honor societies and associations
including the International and Russian Societies of Arrhythmia,
Russian Pediatric Cardiology Association, European Society of
Cardiology and European Society for Pediatric Cardiologists,
and Society of Cardiologists of the Russian Federation.
Dr. Shkolnikova completed her M.D. and Ph.D. in Pediatrics

at the Moscow Institute of Pediatrics & Surgery. She has
also obtained degrees in Cardiology, Pediatrics, Health
Management, Pharmacology, and Cardiology & Rheumatology
at Russian State Medical University in Moscow.
() Georges St. Laurent III, Ph. D.
______________________________________________
Science Director, St. Laurent Institute
Georges St. Laurent III served as the Scientific Director of the

St. Laurent Institute (SLI), a non-profit academic research
institute dedicated to systems biology and genomics
approaches for understanding the molecular mechanisms
of chronic disease. While at SLI, he has been instrumental in
developing international scientific collaborations. He lead
an international group of 15 scientists using single molecule
sequencing to understand the role of ncRNAs in physiological
information processing. Since 2009, he had also championed
the use of Helicos technology at SLI to unlock the potential of
the human transcriptome for disease diagnostics.
Alta Smit, M.B.Bch, B. Sc. (Phys), M.F. (Hom) St. Laurent is well recognized in the fields of Molecular Biology
and Neuroscience, publishing over 40 peer-reviewed research
Director of Medical Affairs & Research, Biologische Heilmittel papers since 2006. Most recently, he had published in BMC
Heel GmbH Medicine on the role of dark matter RNA in the human genome
and disease-associated variants. His publication on non-
Alta Smit is the Director of Medical Affairs and Research at coding RNA mechanisms in Alzheimers disease was recognized
Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH in Baden-Baden, Germany in Nature Medicines Top Ten list for 2008. Additional
and has held this position since 2009. She has also served research interests include thesystems biology of inflammation,
as Heels Head of Medicine and Research since 2005 and as the herbal medicine of Amazonia, and the computational
the Director of Medicine and Medical Education since 2007. mechanisms of non-coding RNA in the mammalian nervous
Additionally, she is the moderator of Heels Scientific Board system.
and serves on the Scientific Board of the European University
Viadrina in Frankfurt an der Oder. She is a founding member of St. Laurent has served as an Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry
the International Society of Homotoxicology and Homeopathy and Molecular Biology at George Washington University, as
and is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine. a Visiting Professor at S.V. University in Tirupati, India, and
at Lanzhou University in Lanzhou, China. He held executive
Dr. Smit is recognized internationally as an integrative medical appointments and memberships with various prestigious
doctor and international lecturer, with a focus on bioregulation Scientific Boards and Committees, including the following:
therapy of modern diseases. She has extensive experience in the Scientific Advisory Board of Heel GmbH in Baden Baden,
various areas of medicine including Rheumatology and Clinical Germany, and the FANTOM 5 Genomics Consortium at the
Immunology, and has published in numerous medical journals RIKEN Genomics Institute in Japan. He served on the Executive
with special interest in acquired mitochondrial myopathies, Committee of the German Duque Foundation in Colombia,
atopic disease and functional somatic syndromes. South America, and was the Co-Chair of the Genome Regulation
and Structure Conference (BGRS) in Russia in 2008. He earned
Dr. Smit, in addition to degrees in physiotherapy and medicine, his B.Sc. in Molecular Biology at Yale University, a Ph.D. from
began her training and practice of complementary modalities The University of Antioquia in Colombia, and was prepared to
in 1992, completing several courses in Homotoxicology, defend his second Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular biology at
Acupuncture and Neural Therapy in Baden-Baden, Germany. In Brown University when he sadly passed away in September
1997 she completed her fellowship in Homeopathy at the Royal 2015.
College of Homeopathy in London, England. From 1994-2004
she practiced integrative medicine using the aforementioned
modalities as well as orthomolecular manipulation to treat
chronic diseases.


Table of Contents
Abstract..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Contributors............................................................................................................................................. 4
Biographies............................................................................................................................................... 5
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................... 10
Glossary.................................................................................................................................................. 11
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 13
2. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model ........................................................................................ 16

2.1 Materials and Methods...............................................................................................................................16
2.2 Results.........................................................................................................................................................18
2.2.1 Biological Communication Across Multi-Scale Networks......................................................................................19
2.2.2 Autoregulation of Biological Networks...................................................................................................................20
2.2.3 Biological Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale.................................................................................22
2.2.4 Inflammation Physiology........................................................................................................................................23
2.2.5 Inflammatory Network Response to Perturbation................................................................................................24
2.2.6 Microenvironment Response to Inflammation......................................................................................................25
2.2.7 Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy...................................................................................................................26
2.2.8 Clinical Focus on Dysregulation..............................................................................................................................27
2.2.9 Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology.....................................................................................................................28
2.2.10 Patient Health-Disease Continuum......................................................................................................................31
3. Interpretation of the Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model...................................................... 33

3.1 Model Dimensions.......................................................................................................................................33
3.2 Anchor Constructs.......................................................................................................................................35
3.3 Intermediary and Bridging Constructs......................................................................................................36
3.4 Clinical Significance and Overarching Principles......................................................................................38
4. Clinical Application In Practice ..................................................................................................... 39
5. Summary and Outlook.................................................................................................................... 41
6. References...................................................................................................................................... 42
7. Appendices..................................................................................................................................... 52
7.1 Appendix A: Statements by Cluster............................................................................................................52
7.2 Appendix B: Group Concept Mapping Methodological Details................................................................56
8. Figures............................................................................................................................................. 58
9. Notes................................................................................................................................................ 70


Glossary events, such that correlations between phenotypes can

be considered based on shared metabolic networks, gene
Autoregulation: the property of feedback loops in networks, protein networks or shared networks of clinical
biological networks to provide stability to a network, data.
thereby limiting the range of network component
fluctuations. Disease progression: the worsening of a disease over time
as the result of a progressive failure of the autoregulatory
Autoregulatory network: the biological network of process.
feedback loops that regulates homeostasis and underlies
an organisms autoregulatory ability. Dynamic reciprocity: an ongoing, bidirectional interaction
amongst cells and their surrounding microenvironment.
Biological complexity: a concept referring to the intricate
interconnectedness of the multiple units of a human Dynamic equilibrium: a steady state of a biological
organism based on fairly stable patterns of evolutionary network.
conservation.
Extracellular matrix (ECM): a complex network of
Biological information: a property of a biological material such as proteins and polysaccharides that are
component or components that influences, affects, or secreted locally by cells and remain closely associated
directs development and maintenance of the organism. with them to provide structural, adhesive and biochemical
There are two major types of biological information: signaling support.
sequence information encoding molecular machineries,
and regulatory network information controlling the Functional modules: a group of directly or indirectly
behavior of molecular machineries. linked molecules (nodes) that work together to achieve an
identifiably distinct function.
Biological network: A web-like pattern of connectivity
between molecules, cells, tissues, or organs that describes Homeostasis: a fundamental property of biological
a behavior of a given system (a specific set of molecules systems to preserve their stability by maintaining key
characterized by structure or function, a cell, a tissue, a regulated variables withing an acceptable range.
specific set of tissues or organs, or an organism) as a whole.
The nodes of such a network represent biological units, and Inflammation resolution: an active biological process
the edges display characteristics (strong or weak, close or that requires activation of endogenous programs that
distant) of relationships between the biological units. enable the host tissue to maintain homeostasis.
Biomarker: a measurement reflecting the status of a Information flow: a concept in bioinformatics referring to
biological system, where the measured response may be the transmission of biological information within or across
functional and physiological, biochemical at the cellular biological networks.
level, or a molecular interaction. Biomarkers provide
information that may aid detection, diagnosis and Linear: the idea (or model) suggesting that biological
treatment plan decisions. processes occur in a simple, sequential order.
Bioregulatory: having the properties of a therapeutic Low affinity interactions: interactions between molecules
intervention, pharmacological or non-pharmacological, to with relatively low intermolecular force.
induce an active biological process that is able to optimize
or restore autoregulation of biological networks. Medication with bioregulatory properties: drugs that
execute regulatory activity in perturbed autoregulatory
Cell turnover: a process by which older cells are eliminated networks.
by apoptosis and replaced by the division of the progenitor
cells. Microenvironment: local surroundings with which cells
interact by processing various chemical and physical
Disease network (diseasome): the concept that many signals and by contributing their own effects to this
diseases are interconnected by shared pathophysiological


environment.
Molecular coherence: the higher order stability in the

behavior of molecules in the tissue, in response to the
whole network of all other molecules within a cell.
Network perturbation: disturbance that causes structural

or functional changes to the network that alter stability
of a given system (cell, tissue, or organism) induced by
internal or external mechanisms.
Non-linear: the idea (or model) suggesting that biological

processes are determined by complex relational
interactions.
Physiological inflammation: a stereotyped tightly

controlled immune response initiated by the complex
integration of tissue turnover and signal recognition by
proinflammatory cells, resulting in the maintenance of
tissue homeostasis.
Reductionist: in biology, a view that biological systems

can be explained solely according to the physical and
chemical properties of their individual components.
Robustness: an ubiquitously observed property of

biological systems that maintains functions and
performance against internal and external perturbations.
Stem cells: pluripotent cells that can divide and

differentiate into diverse specialized cell types, or self-
renew to produce more stem cells.
Systems biology: a study of biology that applies principles

of systems theory. The studied systems in biology are
comprised of molecules, cells, tissues, organisms and
ecosystems.
Systems theory: a theory of scientific exploration

proposed by L. von Bertanaffly, defining principles for
studying complex systems of interrelated elements as a
whole.
Systems medicine: the implementation of systems

biology approaches in medical concepts, research and
practice, through iterative and reciprocal feedback
between and among data-driven computational and
mathematical models, and model driven translation and
clinical investigations.

Introduction
1. Introduction the development of exceptional surgical and emergency care

techniques. The ability to characterize genetic variations over
the entire genome and the achievements in molecular biology
Medicine is at a crossroads. According to the World Health have led to an improved understanding of the cell and to
Organization, people are healthier, wealthier, and live longer the identification of genetic causes for a variety of diseases.
today than 30 years ago (WHO 2015). While knowledge and Modern advances in molecular high-throughput technologies
understanding of health are growing rapidly, the nature of have generated immense amounts of data correlating genetic
health problems is also changing. There have been significant predispositions, epigenetic events, and complex molecular
improvements, especially in the wealthier parts of the world, regulatory interactions with health-disease status in highly
in prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, though stratified human populations. Importantly, while these
the burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases has represent critical developments in medicine, they also reduce
increased (WHO 2015). In the United States, by 2023, rates of attention to the body as a whole (Schadt 2009).
chronic disease are projected to increase by more than 40%,
with medical costs related to these diseases projected to
increase by 200% (Bodenheimer et al. 2009). Prevention will Whereas the current drug development model, driven by
remain important, though more research into the development advances in molecular biology, seeks single target synthetic
of new medicines and the improvement of existing medicines and biological molecules for treatment design, it does
will be a global public health priority (Kaplan et al. 2013). not account for the complexity and interconnectedness of
Recognition that external stressors, including chemical molecular events in the biological systems in which disease
pollutants, diet, and climate change, can have long-lasting processes exist. For example, many degenerative diseases
effects on human development, metabolism, and health by that challenge clinicians feature inflammation and immune
contributing to the development of disease via underlying dysregulation, both of which are complex disease components
epigenetic mechanisms has gained greater acceptance in the that may require more comprehensive solutions than those
scientific community (Feil & Fraga 2012, Weinhold 2012). In offered today. Patients and the public alike often criticize
addition, iatrogenic complications, with exposure to drugs todays medicine for its focus on symptom alleviation, rather
being the main contributor, have been recognized as a major than treatments that target the underlying causes of disease.
risk for patients (Lazarou et al. 1998), resulting in annual costs A more comprehensive and systems-based approach would
of up to $324 million in the United States alone (Levinson 2010). recognize the underlying causes and complexity of these
conditions and strive to address them in the treatment.
The increasing presence of social, psychological, and
environmental stressors in todays society also plays a A more robust and effective solution for disease complexity
prominent role in the escalating development of pathological includes a therapeutic approach that optimizes the
states and illnesses. Recently developed comprehensive autoregulatory capacity of the patient in order to restore
stress measures indicate that the impacts of chronic stressors health in the face of perturbation. This approach goes beyond
on human health are substantial, dramatically affecting an understanding of disease as a simple linear relationship
both physical and mental wellbeing (Thoits 2010). Research between a given stressor, its expression, and its elimination by
suggests that repeated exposure to acute and chronic considering the stressor in the context of the patients genetic
stressors may trigger a systemic inflammatory response with and epigenetic predisposition and autoregulatory capacity
potentially maladaptive consequences such as depression or (Figure1).
the exacerbation of inflammatory disease (Fleshner 2013).
As more individuals present with more complex symptoms, it

has become clear that a new approach is needed that moves
beyond the current medical paradigm, which is grounded in
classical biomedical science. The scientific understanding of
disease is moving, instead, toward a comprehensive view of
disease as a complex interplay of genetic factors and changes
in DNA, and external factors, including age, diet, gender,
stress, and environmental toxins (Schadt 2009). This enhanced
understanding requires a broadened approach to medicine
that can provide solutions to address both disease complexity
and the undesirable, unintended effects of medical treatment,
while simultaneously retaining the benefits of recent medical
advancements. In the second half of the twentieth century,
advances in molecular biology, engineering, and epidemiology
catalyzed a wave of progress in medicine that allowed for the
eradication of many acute infectious diseases, and fostered

Introduction
network itself, then, offers a novel therapeutic access point

beyond eliminating disease causative agents and modifying
resulting pathogeneses. This progress in understanding the
fundamental interconnectedness of biological systems has
revealed the need to re-conceptualize the current healthcare
model, moving from a linear, single-target understanding of
physiology and pathophysiology to a non-linear, systems-
based model (Figure 2).
The field of medical science most aligned with this perspective

is broadly referred to as systems medicine. Systems
medicine takes a holistic view of health and disease by aiming
to provide holistic multi-modal integrated care based on
systems biology approaches (Bousquet et al. 2011). A growing
body of evidence in systems biology supports the view that
global interconnectedness of multi-tissue biological networks
provides the basis for whole-body systems physiology
(Bordbar et al. 2011). In this regard, aspects of human
physiology cannot be accurately understood or treated in
isolation from one another or in isolation from their external
Figure 1. Novel considerations of factors affecting disease. environment. This approach is loosely known as bioregulatory
The current medical paradigm (A) typically consider etiological systems medicine, but until now, has never been formally
factors, genetic predisposition and molecular pathways organized or defined. It engenders a more individualized
recruited in pathogenesis as key causative agents that lead approach to health and treatment, allowing clinicians to use
to disease. Bioregulatory systems medicine (B) also considers more detailed data and systems concepts to better customize
the patients compromised or insufficient autoregulatory treatment based on the particular expression of patients
capacity to restore homeostasis as a key factor that influences condition, history and disease progression. The ability to
individual disease incidence and manifestation. Restoration better tailor treatment on an individual basis is expected, in
of patient autoregulatory capacity is therefore a primary turn, to optimize patient outcomes. For drug development,
therapeutic objective in bioregulatory systems medicine, this implies that a multitarget therapeutic approach, which
in addition to removal of triggers, lifestyle changes, and utilizes the biological complexity of disease processes and the
inhibition of pathogenetic pathways, when appropriate. bodys own autoregulatory mechanisms to promote healing,
______________________________________________ may be better suited (Agoston et al. 2005).
Autoregulation is an inherent feature of regulatory
networks, and is a much broader concept than homeostasis. The fundamental elements that constitute the scientific and
Autoregulation encompasses homeostatic systems from clinical basis for bioregulatory systems medicine have emerged
the molecular level (e.g. certain protein homeostasis) across multiple disciplines. Discoveries from systems biology,
to the whole-organism level (e.g. temperature or blood genomics, cybernetics, and other fields have generated
pressure homeostasis). It proposes that these systems are important and relevant information; however, these elements
interconnected via webs (or networks) of interactions across have not yet been combined in a purposeful and cohesive way
all levels, creating the global autoregulation system of the that can benefit the clinician and patient alike. A valid model is
human body. Some authors refer to this system as the needed to integrate this knowledge in a way that can address
interorgan communication network (Droujinine & Perrimon the medical and healthcare needs of todays society, while
2013, p.1). It was recently suggested that stability is an also establishing a common language between bioregulatory
emergent property of such a network of interconnections systems medicine and current medicine. This model must be
at all levels-from genes to organs- and that this stability grounded in research, understood, supported and verified by
is the balance of the autonomy and connectedness that field experts, and integrative of relevant scientific and clinical
sustains health (Buchman 2002). Whereas past approaches findings. The development of a BrSM model demands a
to disease have stemmed in large part from simplifications methodology that can meet each of these requirements, while
that inevitably result when testing and processing complex fully and cohesively capturing the complexity inherent in this
theories, next-generation sequencing technologies available new medical paradigm. Further, the model must communicate
today make it possible to adopt a more integrative approach. the relationships among its scientific and clinical components
As a result of these technological advancements, attention in a standardized way that facilitates the dissemination,
can now be given to the bodys inherent biological capability translation, and utilization of the bioregulatory systems
to maintain a state of health by regulating information flow medicine approach.
across non-linear, multi-scale, and multi-level networks of
molecules, cells, tissues, and organs. The autoregulatory

Introduction
achieved through internal and external means. The document

concludes by emphasizing that, collectively, the integrated
components of the BrSM model constitute a holistic approach
to human health that can potentially close the gap between
current medical challenges and ideal patient outcomes. 1
Figure 2. Linear versus non-linear causation model. The

fields of molecular biology and medicine have traditionally
considered influence and causality among relevant entities
as occurring in a linear manner. This linear framework, often
referred to as a reductionist perspective, supports a single-
molecule, single-target approach, whereby a particular
biological component (e.g. receptor, gene, etc.) is considered
individually and in isolation when treating disease. More
recently, modern technological advances have allowed for
a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental
interconnectedness of biological systems, prompting a
reconceptualization toward a non-linear, systems-based model
of physiology and pathophysiology. This integrative view
acknowledges the spatial and temporal interdependencies
among multiple molecular and physiological processes,
maintaining that a more effective medical approach utilizes
biological networks when treating disease. Bioregulatory
systems medicine endorses this network perspective.
______________________________________________
In this white paper, we describe a process used to aggregate

diverse expert opinions for the purpose of formalizing a
BrSM model, discuss the results of this process, and present
the resultant BrSM model. The methodological approach
used for this inquiry, group concept mapping, systematically
integrates the perspectives of a wide range of experts on
both the ideas that should be included in a BrSM model, and
the relationships among those ideas. The results include
a visual depiction of the expert groups consensus on how
BrSM should be conceptualized. We detail the information
and implications conveyed by the emergent model, which
is grounded in the intersection of resolution processes and
biological information as the cardinal axes of the paradigm. A
key emphasis of BrSM is the use of a multitarget approach to
achieve resolution of distorted information flow throughout
the body. The BrSM model anticipates changes and, in turn,
requires a dynamic perspective on what is taking place at the
micro and macro network levels, and how resolution can be

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model
2. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine of the model. In this sense, the model content itself does
not constitute an innovative medical paradigm; rather, the
Model relationships that emerge among this existing knowledge
as a product of the concept mapping process form a novel,
comprehensive, and integrated picture of bioregulatory
2.1 Materials and Methods systems medicine. The flow diagram (Figure 3) describes the
development protocol in more detail.
The concept of Bioregulatory Systems Medicine was developed
by an international team of scientific and clinical experts from
various backgrounds. Scientific experts included those in the
fields of immunology, neuroscience, genomics, molecular
biology, systems biology, and systems medicine. Clinical
experts included physicians specialized in various medical
areas including family and community medicine, chronic
diseases, aging, cardiology, pediatrics and neurology. The
BrSM Initiative was launched in 2008 by an input meeting of
invited experts in collaboration with experts in bioregulatory
medicine from Heel.
The initiative leaders selected group concept mapping as the

optimal methodology for the development of a comprehensive,
integrated BrSM model. Concept mapping is a mixed-methods
approach for model development that integrates qualitative
group processes with multivariate statistical analyses to allow
a group of individuals to describe its ideas on any topic of
interest and represent those ideas through a series of related
maps (Kane & Trochim 2007, Baldwin et al. 2004, Kagan et al. Figure 3. Flow diagram of the model development protocol.
2009). Although the term concept mapping is often used to The development protocol consisted of five basic consecutive
refer to a general method of visualizing how an individual or steps. The key properties of the protocol were iterative
group thinks about a given topic, the group concept mapping processes engaging HCPs and independent scientific experts
methodology used in the BrSM model development is distinct by establishing the framework of expert group round tables,
in four main ways. First, it is a group process, and so it is inquiring for feedback in almost each step, and employing
especially well-suited for allowing a diverse group of clinicians the Concept Systems algorithm to compute and visualize
and scientists to develop consensus around a given topic. the emergent consensus of a larger group of participants.
Second, it uses a highly structured facilitation approach, with The resultant conceptual clinical application model serves
a specific sequence of steps to help a group articulate its ideas as a basis for research program development and further
and understand them more clearly. Third, the core analytic experimental validation.
tools of concept mapping consist of several multivariate ______________________________________________
statistical methods that analyze the input from all individual
participants to yield an aggregate group product. Fourth, The initiative leaders including international scientific experts
this concept mapping method employs specialized computer and clinicians elicited an initial set of approximately 200
software that is specifically designed to analyze the data from statements from current scientific literaturea and empirical
this type of facilitated process and produce the appropriate knowledge, vetted through the following focus prompt
visual representations (Kane & Trochim 2009). used to guide content selection: A specific idea or element
that is fundamental to defining and explaining a model of
This method for the development of the BrSM model was bioregulatory systems medicine (BrSM) is... The initial set
selected because of its capacity to acknowledge, capture and of content was subjected to several iterations of review and
assimilate individual conceptualizations, and produce a set of confirmation. Collectively, this group of individuals possessed
relatively simple visual representations to depict the complex considerable breadth and depth of expertise, constituting their
relationships among the scientific and clinical elements that role as idea generators in the model development process. The
emerge from the sequence of basic participatory steps. The idea generation process was designed to ensure consensus
model content was developed through a thorough and rigorous around the clarity, specificity, level of available supporting
review of existing scientific and clinical research to determine evidence, relatedness to bioregulatory systems medicine,
the most relevant elements to defining bioregulatory systems and transferability of the content across a range of medical
medicine. Of particular importance in the model development and scientific backgrounds. The statement refinement and
process was the emphasis on the elicitation of prior cutting- confirmation process included a discussion with experts and
edge knowledge to form the scientific and clinical substance clinicians at two multi-day Think Tank sessions.

Following the Think Tanks, initiative leaders synthesized Participants in this data activity included those involved in
the meeting results and engaged participants in several the idea generation process and invited experts who did not
iterations of virtual feedback via online discussion boards participate in the Think Tanks. These individuals were invited
before confirming a final set of 102 elements to comprise to participate based on the collective diversity of their specific
the model content (Appendix A). These statements also professional backgrounds and experiences. This intentional
provided the input for the next step in the process, which inclusion of heterogeneous perspectives helped to ensure that
was a structured conceptualization, or sorting, activity. the consensus understanding that emerged from the concept
Appendix B includes a more detailed description of the sorting mapping process would resonate with a broad range of health
activity and the concept mapping methodology. Sorting care stakeholders. The aggregation and analysis of these views
participants individually organized the final set of ideas based formed the conceptual foundation of the BrSM model.
on their own understanding of the relatedness of the ideas.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
a
This literature is cited throughout the subsequent sections. Text in bold refers to statements that are included in the model, and are referenced
accordingly.

2.2 Results
Analysis of the sort data as part of the concept mapping
process generated a point map (Figure 4) that displays the
102 points selected through the idea generation process
in two-dimensional space. Cluster analysis revealed how
these statements, as represented by points, group into
ten higher-order themes by which the core elements are
considered to be in relation to one another (Figure 5).
Next, initiative leaders conducted an extensive review of the
statements in each of the clusters to allow for the consideration
and subsequent articulation of the ten emergent themes of the
model (Figure 6).
Figure 5. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent

Conceptual Model: the Cluster Map. The cluster map
represents the 102 statements as they are grouped into
higher-order themes based on their arrangement in the point
map (Figure 4). After reviewing the fit of the map content
within multiple cluster arrangements, it was agreed that a ten
cluster solution was the most parsimonious representation for
meaningfully and heuristically interpreting the relationships
among the individual statements within a smaller set of
thematic constructs. Each cluster was subsequently labelled
(Figure 6).
______________________________________________

Conceptual Model: the Point Map. In this figure, each
point represents one of the 102 statements derived through
extensive literature mining and expert consensus, and
considered to represent a key component of the bioregulatory
systems medicine conceptual model. A number was assigned
arbitrarily to each of the 102 statements for reference purposes
only. The point map displays each of the 102 statements in
two dimensional space based on the aggregation of expert
participants sort data and the subjection of that aggregated
sort data to multidimensional scaling. Statements that appear
closer to one another on the point map tend to be thought Figure 6. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent
of as more conceptually similar by those who participated; Conceptual Model: The Labeled Cluster Map. The labels
statements that appear farther apart tend to be thought of as assigned to each cluster reflect the shared higher-order
more conceptually distinct. We refer readers to Appendix A for themes that describe the specific statements within each
a full list of the statements represented by the numbers. cluster and convey the clusters meaning in the context of the
bioregulatory systems medicine paradigm. Cluster labels
______________________________________________
were derived and finalized by authors and contributing
reviewers that championed the model development initiative.
The clusters have been color coded based on the structural
analysis: anchor clusters are marked dark blue, intermediate
clusters light blue, and central cluster middle blue. Refer to the
text for a more detailed explanation of the structural cluster
analysis.
______________________________________________

The following sections describe the distinct meaning and establish an intelligent scaffold in the nucleus, the high-
scope of each cluster based on the statements it contains, order molecular structure around DNA, which regulates
with particular attention to the significance of the individual concentrations of nuclear proteins with immense accuracy
ideas as they are grouped by cluster in the context of the (St. Laurent et al. 2009). This intelligent scaffold is highly
emergent BrSM model. To begin, of the clusters Biological dynamic and capable of directing proteins into specific micro-
Communication across Multi-Scale Networks, Autoregulation locations within itself (St. Laurent et al. 2012). Fundamentally,
of Biological Networks and Biological Communication at this flow of molecules is not chaotic, but coherent in response
the Microenvironment-Scale, contain several overarching to any stimuli that the cell encounters in its immediate
concepts that emerge throughout the model. A review of microenvironment. Theoretically, this molecular coherence
the constructs associated with inflammation processes is could be quantified as the ratio between codable systems
followed by a description of those clusters that pertain to the (information theory) and thermal degrees of freedom
clinical context, specifically Clinical Focus on Dysregulation, (thermodynamics), providing a measure of cellular, and
Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy, and Bioregulatory ultimately, of organismal fitness. Some authors suggest that,
Clinical Pharmacology. A discussion of Patient Health-Disease using similar principles, it is possible to identify a balance
Continuum as a central concept of the BrSM model and the state common to human carcinomas. The dominant deviation
bioregulatory approach more broadly concludes this section. from this balance was identified as the cancer-specific disease
The explication of the model clusters provides the foundation pattern, a signature comprised of unique mRNAs and miRNAs
for the subsequent interpretation of the relationships among capable of distinguishing diseased patient samples from
clusters, and the meaning of these relationships in conveying normal controls (Zadran et al. 2013).
the conceptual basis of the bioregulatory systems medicine
approach. Important to note are the two major types of biological
information: sequence information encoding molecular
machineries and regulatory network information
2.2.1 Biological Communication Across controlling the behavior of molecular machineries.
Sequence information is encoded by 4-digit nucleotide code
Multi-Scale Networks in DNA and determines the structural and functional specifics
of proteins and RNA molecules that constitute molecular
The complexity intrinsic to dynamic biological systems offers machineries. Regulatory network information is revealed in
critical insight into the behavior and properties of systems/ the form of specific interconnected, predictable interactions
network information regulation that challenges common among different proteins, other molecules, and DNA
reductionist thinking. For example, whereas the term regulatory elements that describe how molecular machineries
homeostasis is used to refer to a steady state or condition behave in a given cellular state. In this sense, regulatory
of the system, terms such as dynamic equilibrium better network information connects different levels of biological
illustrate that state-space is limited to a certain range in healthy structure, from molecules to cells, cells to tissues, and tissues
individuals, but is not static (Knox 2010). Indeed, biological to organs and organ systems. Whereas reductionist molecular
networks are inherently dynamic; their capability to adapt techniques have successfully decoded sequence information,
to constantly changing internal and external inputs is regulatory information and the role of noncoding RNAs as
defined as and dictated by their robustness (Kitano 2004, carriers of this information has only recently been discovered
Kitano et al. 2004, Kitano 2007b, Kitano 2007a). The concept (Wapinski & Chang 2011). Research now suggests that low
of network robustness encompasses the notion that networks affinity interactions (especially RNA-protein interactions)
absorb the inputs from their environments, which induce provide a computational matrix to process information
numerous regulatory response actions simultaneously in order and to direct action in molecular networks (Gutirrez et al.
to maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium. A robust system 2010, St. Laurent et al. 2009). For example, noncoding RNAs
can maintain its performance or output characteristics over a have been found to mediate stress response pathways in
relatively wide range of perturbations, inputs, or phase states Alzheimers disease (St. Laurent et al. 2009), are secreted by
(Kitano 2004, Kitano et al. 2004, Kitano 2007b, Kitano 2007a). immune cells, stem cells, adipocytes, and blood cells (Chen et
al. 2012), and can be detected in serum and other body fluids,
Bioregulatory systems medicine offers a novel understanding suggesting their potential use as clinical biomarkers (Etheridge
of tissue health-disease status by integrating concepts of et al. 2011).
biological networks, dynamic equilibrium, and robustness.
Information theory and thermodynamics are fundamental In this regard, disease occurs when accumulated stresses
for understanding the principles of a biological system overpower autoregulating abilities that support tissue
(e.g. a tissue). Recently, a theory of genomic dark matter robustness; that is, when they damage biological computation
was proposed suggesting that non-coding, RNA-regulated resources of the tissue, causing tissues to dysfunction and,
molecular machineries are at the core of orchestrating in turn, distorting information flow. Since tissues and
dynamic responsiveness of a cell to microenvironmental organs are linked together in networks by functional
stimuli (Kapranov & St. Laurent 2012). These machineries interdependencies, distortions of information flow propagate

across the network of interconnected tissues from the epicenter be viewed as the high-level functional system consisting
of disorder, gradually resulting in disease progression. Tissue of numerous function-specific networks. More recently,
health fails as a function of the loss of molecular order, i.e. the existence of interorgan communication network was
the loss of quality in its information content (St. Laurent et proposed (Droujinine & Perrimon 2013). It was suggested that
al. 2009). For example, persistent tissue perturbation that the network of brain, gut, muscle, immune, renal, fat, liver
originates in the inflammatory network and causes chronic and gonad tissues systemically integrate organismal cellular
inflammation may distort DNA repair and tissue regeneration processes and regulate the bodys homeostasis and localized
networks causing pathological tissue remodeling (Nathan stress. These processes may include aging, protein turnover,
2002). As a result, distortion in stem cell regulation networks nutrient uptake, metabolism, cell division, cell movement,
can occur, ultimately resulting in cellular degeneration or detoxification, organelle biogenesis, and secretion of local and
dedifferentiation. This example and others emphasize the systemic signals (Droujinine & Perrimon 2013).
need to consider information regulation at the systems and
network level in approaching disease comprehensively. One of the key assertions of bioregulatory systems medicine
is that the inflammation network regulates stem cell biology
and regeneration on many levels. Evidence indicates that
2.2.2 Autoregulation of Biological certain inflammatory cytokines direct migration of neural
stem cells during brain injury, suggesting that such a strategy
Networks for tissue regeneration may be shared by other stem cell
systems (Imitola et al. 2004). Moreover, stem cell self-renewal
Bioregulatory systems medicine embraces a holistic systems can also be regulated by inflammation networks (Kiger et al.
biology image of the human body as a multi-scale, multi-level 2001, Singh et al. 2010). Stem cell regulation provides further
regulatory network of molecules, cells and tissues (Hunter grounding for the global autoregulatory network, as stem cell
et al. 2002, An 2008, PacificBiosciences 2011). In contrast, function is modulated by circadian rhythms, metabolism, diet,
the model of homeostatic regulation proposed by Claude exercise, mating, aging, infection, and disease. It is likely that
Bernard in 1854 (Gross 1998) has been widely adopted by these physiological changes have systemic effects on stem
reductionist science to define biological stability. Research to cells in multiple tissues (Nakada et al. 2011).
identify mechanisms of restoring and maintaining measurable
parameters of homeostatic regulation through linear processes Some authors further suggest that cross-tissue interactions
remain a major research focus today. via connective tissue establish regulatory networks at the
organ level (Langevin 2006). Indeed, the role of fibroblasts
Systems biology has expanded the homeostatic autoregulation and fibroblast-like cells as cellular communicators in such
concept into an alternative model termed homeodynamics, in organ circuits as hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
which non-linear processes provide stability to a system. In this (Slominski et al. 2007, Prez-Garca et al. 2011), brain-gut
context, a system is described as a nested network. Biologically, axis (Burnstock 2009), or neuro-immune-endocrine network
this corresponds to the associations of cells into tissues, tissues (Galoyan 2012, Julio-Pieper et al. 2011) is well documented. To
into organs, and organs into the intact organism(Buchman this end, bioregulatory systems medicine supports the notion
2002). The nested network uses computational resources that a multi-scale network of all molecular components
provided by coherent interactions of macromolecules in the and their within- and cross-tissue interactions can serve
tissue in order to self-regulate in the face of perturbations as a global autoregulation model of the human organism
introduced to the system. From a clinical perspective, this (Figure 7).
expanded model of homeodynamics supports the postulation
that blocks to autoregulation are etiological factors that
maintain persistent network perturbation and restrict the
network from self-regulating toward resolution. Factors
include but are not limited to genetic aberrations, epigenetic
changes, chronic infections, nutritional deficiencies, chronic
intoxication, persistent psychological stress, epithelial barrier
dysfunction, and hormonal dysregulation.
At the biochemical level, at least three types of molecular

networks (metabolite, protein, and gene) are interconnected
to create a global biochemical network (Brazhnik et al.
2002); the negative feedback loops across these networks
provide the basis for autoregulation of the global, organism-
wide molecular network (Becskei & Serrano 2000, Kiebasa &
Vingron 2008). This global autoregulatory network can also

Figure 7. Multi-scale autoregulatory networks. functionality, even if it transitions to a new steady state or
Bioregulatory systems medicine encompasses a systems if instability helps the system to cope with perturbations
biology perspective of interactions within and across multiple (Kitano 2007b). This differentiation further helps to define the
levels of biological organization. The complexity of a systems concepts of adaptation and compensation that are relevant
approach challenges common reductionist thinking, and to the incorporation of autoregulation in clinical practice.
paves the way for medicine that works with rather than against Although these concepts are often used interchangeably, we
the inherent interconnectivity of biological organization. define adaptation as the ability to maintain the functionality
From the molecular to cellular to organ to whole organism of the biological network within the range of physiological
network, the BrSM model acknowledges that human health parameters (or within homeostatic state), and compensation
and disease are driven by the regulatory information flow that as the ability to maintain the functionality of the biological
propagates throughout this global autoregulatory network. network outside the range of physiological parameters.
Current diagnostic approaches are limited by capturing only
a static snapshot of some of this information. Novel diagnostic Metabolic syndrome provides a classic illustration of these two
approaches will confirm and provide higher resolution of concepts. In the early stages of metabolic syndrome, when
existing snapshots of clinical information, and will expand poor nutrition and inadequate exercise chronically increase
its scope by adding (surrogate) biomarkers of autoregulatory fuel surfeit, a robust regulatory network may engage in certain
capacity in one spatiotemporal model specific to the patient. adaptation mechanisms that will sustain glucose levels within
______________________________________________ a physiological range. In later stages, the body burden of
dysregulation may increase, leading to increased cholesterol
As discussed previously, there is a high level of molecular levels and possibly increased blood pressure, ultimately
coherence in healthy tissues and the loss of molecular resulting in overall decompensation. As Dr. Hiroaki Kitano
order corrupts healthy information flow in the tissue. appropriately summarizes:
Sustained corruption of healthy information flow (e.g.
blocks to autoregulation) leads to the failure of regulatory We consider that metabolic syndromes take over inherent
networks ability to restore molecular order. As disease dynamics of our body that ensure robustness against unstable
progresses, an increase in the thermal degrees of freedom food supply and pathogenic infections, and lead to chronic
and a decrease in the molecular coherence of the affected inflammation that ultimately results in cardiovascular disease.
tissues is expected. This exemplifies how trade-offs between robustness against
common perturbations (unstable food and infections) and
Modularity helps networks to contain perturbations and fragility against unusual perturbations (highenergy content
damage locally in order to support autoregulation and foods and lowenergy utilization lifestyle) is exploited to form
minimize the effects of disease on the system (Kitano 2004). chronic diseases.(Kitano et al. 2004, p.S6)
Modules are self-organized units of individual components
that are grouped according to a certain set of rules (e.g. a A fundamental component of bioregulatory systems medicine
common function), and that are relatively independent in is the understanding that robust networks are able to
self-regulation. Modularity allows networks to optimize their autoregulate (Jangi et al. 2014), which may explain how
dynamics and adapt to disturbances more effectively. In the functional states are adapted in response to perturbations.
event that one module fails, other modules may adapt their As such, persistent perturbation of biological networks,
functions accordingly so that the whole network can reorganize including endogenous responses to specific exogenous
without loss of overall functionality. Several thousand insults, can manifest as disease (Schadt 2009, del Sol et al.
functional modules in gene and protein regulatory networks 2010). In this context, a disease represents the perturbation or
have been identified (Suthram et al. 2010, Hwang et al. 2009). breakdown of a specific functional module caused by variation
These functional modules represent specific physiological in one or more of the modules components, which, in turn,
processes in the body such as synaptic signal transduction, cell produces recognizable developmental and/or physiological
activation, insulin secretion, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, abnormalities (Loscalzo et al. 2007). More simplistically,
the development of certain glands, and wound healing. Signals the human organism is continuously challenged by genetic,
from the microenvironment may also directly influence epigenetic, and environmental perturbations that distort
many functional modules of molecular networks. biological networks and may lead to disease progression.
In this context disease progression refers to blocks to
Another fundamental feature of autoregulatory networks autoregulation in relevant biological networks that cause
is robustness. Robustness can be defined as the ability persistent perturbations and may spread widely across the
to maintain homeodynamics of living systems in the global autoregulatory network. This expansion can result in
face of perturbations and uncertainty (Kitano 2007b). network rewiring and restructuring to new adaptation and
Whereas homeostasis is a property that maintains the state compensation states, which gradually progresses throughout
of a system, robustness maintains the functions of a system. various stages of disease. When we consider disease
More generally, a system is robust as long as it maintains progression and autoregulation in the context of molecular

coherence (discussed in the prior section), we can consider 2.2.3 Biological Communication at the
the loss of coherence as the loss of information processing
capability of a biological network, which, in turn, leads to the Microenvironment-Scale
loss of the ability to autoregulate.
Fundamental to bioregulatory systems medicine is the
Many diseases are interconnected by shared appreciation of the role of the microenvironment as a critical
pathophysiological events. Given the hypothesis that supporter of healthy cells (Buttle 2007) and as the conduit
human disorders should be viewed as perturbations of of biological information in tissues (Xu et al. 2009). A healthy
highly interlinked cellular networks, researchers predict that microenvironment consists of the local surrounding with
diseases should not be independent from each other, but which cells interact by processing various chemical and
should instead be themselves highly interconnected(Vidal physical signals and by contributing their own effects to this
et al. 2011, p.993). In light of this hypothesis, researchers environment. In addition to tissue-specific cells, immune and
constructed the disease network (Goh et al. 2007) based on nerve cells are also involved in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
shared metabolic networks (Lee et al. 2008), gene networks Cell turnover is a key means of adult tissue homeostasis in many
(Goh et al. 2007), protein networks (Suthram et al. 2010), human organs. Defects in cell turnover underlie many adult-
and, importantly, shared networks of clinical data (Christakis onset diseases, such as cancer and degenerative disorders, and
et al. 2009). After analyzing shared protein networks in fifty- may also contribute to aging (Pellettieri & Snchez Alvarado
four diseases, including endometriosis, malaria, depression, 2007). Bioregulatory systems medicine considers both the cell
Alzheimers disease and various cancers, Suthram et al. and its extracellular matrix (ECM) - not the cell alone - as the
(2010) identified as a set of 59 network modules that were collective functional unit in higher organisms.
dysregulated in at least half of the diseases and suggested that
this network represents a common disease-state signature. The ECM is itself an informational entity that is an extension of
the intracellular molecular network, and integrates structural
We can postulate that this signature may represent the and functional signals that allow for differentiation in cell
common denominator shared by many diseases we see in shape and structure. Communication between the ECM and
clinical practice. For example, it is suggested that a network of the cell nucleus is dynamic and reciprocal (Bissell et al. 2003),
neuroimmune interactions controls inflammation in multiple such that dynamic reciprocity explains information flow in the
diseases via nervous, endocrine, and immune systems (Otmishi microenvironment. The mature local microenvironment tightly
et al. 2008). By treating such a denominator with specific regulates and controls cellular fates to maintain molecular
multitarget interventions (e.g. medications with bioregulatory order and healthy cell turnover within the tissue (Huang & Ingber
properties), we may alleviate several co-morbidities typically 2006) via the ECM, intracellular cytoskeleton, and nuclear
presented in a chronic patient. Additionally, the majority matrix, which are directly interconnected through a chain
of diseases share a certain number of common functional of commonly utilized molecules. The dynamic, bidirectional
modules. It is possible that a complete picture of annotated cross talk between the ECM and the cell membrane influences
functional modules would allow the clinician to identify and gene expression by connecting ECM-ECM receptor interactions
interpret changes in the gene or protein networks obtained to the cytoskeleton, nuclear matrix, chromatin, and back again
from patients tissue samples (e.g. whole blood) for diagnostic (Nelson & Bissell 2006).
purposes. In this sense, functional modules such as genomic
or proteomic panels could serve as biomarkers (Baker 2005) In the context of bioregulatory systems medicine, Biological
to define a patients autoregulatory status, though further Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale considers
research is necessary to draw more definitive insight. biological networks of the tissue microenvironment as the
terrain of the body(Genuis 2012), where signals of various
The existence of a common disease-state signature and origins (biochemical, physical and neural) are coupled and
common functional modules further encourages the scientific processed, and can, in turn, influence network robustness.
community to design medications that target biological For example, excessive breakdown of the ECM components
networks instead of single molecules. In this regard, the future associated with altered levels of reactive oxygen species
of network pharmacology (Erler & Linding 2010, Li et al. 2011) (ROS) can result in the modification of multiple molecular
is rooted in the idea that a network approach can be used to networks across tissues and subsequent pathology (Kar
identify common pathological threads between seemingly et al. 2010, Kashihara et al. 2010, Vacek et al. 2012). ECM
unrelated diseases, to improve the understanding of the signaling has also been shown to help with immunological
pathogenesis and, therefore, to aide in the discovery of the synapse formation in the immune system (Springer & Dustin
most influential therapeutic access points. 2012), control of the inflammatory reflex at the neuro-immune
synapse (Dustin 2012), inflammation resolution (Widgerow
2012), and in the maintenance of physiological inflammation
(Sansonetti 2011).
In addition to signaling molecules, information flow between

tissues and cells is also regulated by gap junction (GJ) proteins, investigation of its physiological basis has been a major focus
which are most likely regulated by noncoding RNAs (Rau of the medical and scientific community. Today, inflammation
et al. 2011, Ye et al. 2011). Recent research has revealed the is commonly associated with many prevalent disorders, and
involvement of GJ proteins in the regulation of stem cell niches uncontrolled inflammation is seen as one of the key players
(Peiris & Oviedo 2013) and in the protection of tissue cells from in many chronic and age-related diseases of Western society
toxic insults (Klee et al. 2011). This line of research points to (Freund et al. 2010).
gap junctions as an important focal point for further scientific
and clinical inquiry, as GJ communication encompasses a Despite this association, not all inflammatory responses are
physiological phenomenon that modulates cellular behavior necessarily harmful; rather, inflammation plays an essential
at both the local and systemic levels (Peiris & Oviedo 2013). physiological role in responding to stress, dysfunctional tissue
states and injury (Medzhitov 2008). Inflammation that is
In the clinical context, the cardinal role of the microenvironment caused by stressed, apoptotic cells, or metabolic changes
as a cellular information exchange center positions the ECM as provides an extension of the autoregulatory capacity of the
a point of intervention. Research supports the existence of organism and helps to maintain and/or restore a healthy
pathological links between the microenvironment and diseases functional tissue state (Medzhitov 2010, Serhan & Savill 2005).
such as cancer (Iozzo & Sanderson 2011), poor wound healing The scientific community has, in fact, coined the term sterile
(Schultz et al. 2011), airway remodeling disease (Burgess 2009), inflammation to refer to inflammation that is induced by
and hypertensive heart disease (Berk et al. 2007). Moreover, endogenous signals released from stressed, malfunctioning,
the ECM is involved in the progression of almost any chronic or dead cells and tissues (Chen & Nuez 2010).
disease, most notably in fibrotic diseases (e.g. most solid
tumors, arthritis, osteoporosis, COPD and emphysema), Inflammatory responses also play a critical role in
suggesting that molecules associated with ECM metabolism maintaining and/or restoring cell and tissue health. In the
may serve as biomarkers for disease progression (Zannad & case of unfavorable environmental conditions, a specific
Pitt 2009). low level of inflammation called parainflammation is
induced to restore tissue robustness and deter progression
Future clinical research may also consider whether to subsequent damaged states (Medzhitov 2008). Tissue
bioaccumulation of toxins in tissues can negatively influence states are also permanently monitored by tissue-resident
cellular health, as environmental toxins and metabolic macrophages that express inflammatory mediators to recruit
waste products can accumulate in the ECM and cause further inflammatory cells if needed (Medzhitov 2010), as
disease. Recent research in various health disciplines in the event of necrotic or apoptotic tissue removal. In the
demonstrates that deficiency and toxicity are common case of myocardial infarction and stroke, for example, tissue
etiological determinants of contemporary ill-health (Genuis destruction can paradoxically be the result of a restored blood
2012). Bioaccumulation of pesticides in adipose tissue, for flow in response to the recognition of damage-associated
example, increases the total burden of intoxication and may patterns and an inflammatory response to necrotic cells
lead to neuro, immune, and endocrine toxicity (Crinnion 2000). (Eltzschig & Eckle 2011).
Additional research reveals that immune activation occurs not
only in response to infection, but also in response to physical, The regulation of inflammatory responses is steered by
chemical, and genotoxic tissue stress (Papatriantafyllou 2011). an orchestra of molecules. Pro-inflammatory mechanisms
This line of research strongly suggests a relationship between and anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution pathways are
bioaccumulation of environmental toxins and perturbations in activated simultaneously to limit the severity and duration of
the immune response/inflammatory network. the inflammatory response, and to allow for resolution - the
ideal outcome of acute inflammation - to occur (Freund et
In sum, the fundamental role of the ECM in cellular and tissue al. 2010, Nathan & Ding 2010, Serhan et al. 2007, Perretti & Dalli
function supports the microenvironment as a key focal point 2009, Serhan et al. 2004, Valledor et al. 2010). Inflammation
for therapeutic developments in bioregulatory systems resolution is an active process triggered at tissue level, in which
medicine. The involvement of the microenvironment in nearly endogenous anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators
all pathological conditions, due in large part to its signaling actively counter-regulate the onset of inflammation in order to
pathways and cross-tissue regulatory molecular networks, promote resolution (Serhan 2010, Ariel et al. 2006, Perretti &
positions microenvironment information regulation as a Dalli 2009). Known specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators
highly influential process at both the local and systemic levels. include resolvins, lipoxins, protectins, and maresins, the
expression of which creates defined regulation checkpoints
that steer the inflammatory process (Serhan 2010, Serhan et al.
2002, Serhan & Savill 2005, Fredman & Serhan 2011, Recchiuti
2.2.4 Inflammation Physiology et al. 2011, Serhan et al. 2009, Serhan et al. 2004).
Since Cornelius Celsus defined the four basic signs of
inflammation in the first century, the revelation and

In this regard, the inflammatory status of a tissue is 2.2.5 Inflammatory Network Response
determined by its balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory
factors, including external signals. Pathology occurs in to Perturbation
the case of inflammatory mediator imbalance, in which
the inflammation cannot be resolved. For example, if pro- From a molecular network perspective, the loss of molecular
inflammatory mediators persist without sufficient pro- order triggers acute inflammation. Acute inflammation
resolving molecules, inflammation becomes chronic and is is subsequently induced by functionally capable auto-
maintained by positive feedback loops (Freund et al. 2010, regulating tissue in an effort to maintain or restore the
Nathan & Ding 2010, Perretti & Dalli 2009, Serhan et al. 2007). In order in the system. As a mechanism switched on by
this way, a local imbalance can lead to systemic inflammation. exogenous or endogenous stressors released during tissue
It is assumed that local inflammatory pathways in the body injury, malfunction, and stress, acute inflammation supports
are mirrored by systemic inflammation, which is one of the the creation of a new homeostasis and functional set-point in
underlying pathological mechanisms of many diseases. cases of severe disturbance (Medzhitov 2008), such as those
induced by environmental changes or pathological conditions.
The cardinal role of inflammation physiology in responding Modern advances in molecular biology and genetics shed
to stressors and restoring autoregulation reveals that the more light on mechanisms of such inflammatory response, as
inflammatory process itself is not dangerous; rather, it is in the case of mammalian MAPK (mitogen-activated protein
an inadequate response to either excessive or insufficient kinase) signal transduction pathways. These pathways are
inflammation that leads to pathology (Valledor et al. 2010). activated by environmental stresses and inflammatory
Non-resolving, chronic inflammation is the common thread in mediators including hormones, growth factors, cytokines,
many chronic diseases such as COPD, obesity, atherosclerosis, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS), and
cancer, multiple sclerosis, asthma, IBD, rheumatoid arthritis, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS), and they
diabetes, neurological disorders, and others (Raison et al. orchestrate the recruitment of gene transcription factors, cell
2006, Ridker 2009, Nathan & Ding 2010, Serhan 2010, Hellmann cycle control, cell death, and differentiation (Kyriakis & Avruch
et al. 2012). The role of the acute inflammatory response in 2012). Nonetheless, some authors propose that the various
this context is less clear. Although an acute inflammatory strategies that an organism uses to deal with specific tissue
reaction is generally treated as an acute exacerbation that damage are of general origin and implicate similar genes and
needs to be prevented, some evidence suggests that an acute transcription factors (Medzhitov et al. 2012).
inflammatory response might be an endogenous feedback
loop that primes the immune system for anti-inflammatory The human body has the capability to synthesize and
action (Wermeling et al. 2013). Moreover, there is evidence control molecules that promote or resolve inflammation.
that elimination of TNF- signaling, known to be a key factor Endogenous inflammatory mediators can have pro- and
in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leads anti-inflammatory, as well as pro-resolving, effects (Serhan
to the enhancement of chronic inflammation and increased et al. 2008). Acute inflammation can therefore act as a driver
apoptosis of colonic epithelial cells in the mouse model (Wang of both disease progression and regression (Ariel et al. 2006),
et al. 2013). If this is true, acute inflammation should not depending on the positioning, timing, and population of
be blocked, but rather initiated or supported in order to leukocytes during the course of inflammation (Buckley 2011).
induce resolution. This also means that acute inflammation
is a homeostatic mechanism that should be allowed to take its Therapeutic strategies must therefore accurately consider
natural course toward resolution. In this context, initiation is the ways in which nodes of a network should be targeted in
achieved by improving self-regulatory abilities of the patient the context of the inflammatory response, as well as the risks
that naturally manifests as acute inflammation. Nonetheless, associated with long-term, partial, or complete interruption of
caution should be taken in overgeneralizing this phenomenon, the inflammatory process (Nathan & Ding 2010). Many of the
which may not present itself in other tissues or organs, such current conventional medical treatments for diseases linked
as the brain, for example. It still remains to be seen whether to chronic inflammation are largely focused on achieving relief
this approach can be used as a therapeutic tool. Whereas the of prominent symptoms by partly or completely suppressing
pathological consequences of non-resolving inflammation inflammatory pathways. As such, patients who are given these
include tissue injury (Rock & Kono 2008), fibrosis (Nathan treatments often experience a recurrence of the symptoms
& Ding 2010), and scar formation (Gilroy et al. 2004), acute after the cessation of a therapy.
inflammation might be necessary to return from a disease
state to health (Serhan & Savill 2005). This distinction is critical In order to achieve ideal patient outcomes, bioregulatory
for bioregulatory systems medicine, which recognizes that systems medicine recognizes that medications should
medical challenges associated with inflammation are not tied not be designed to block or dampen inflammation as a
to the occurrence of inflammation itself, but to the persistence means to relieve symptoms. Medications should instead be
of factors that originally triggered the inflammation, and to the designed to mimic and support the bodys innate resolution
inability of the body to regulate the inflammatory response mechanisms based on the specific context of the individual
and, in turn, curtail disease progression.

inflammatory event, thereby increasing the potential to alter Bioregulatory systems medicines emphasis on inflammatory
disease progression with minimal side effects. The future of processes and the environment in which they occur may be
therapeutics lies in those treatments that can promote or particularly applicable in the context of stem cells niches,
modulate the resolution process (Perretti & Dalli 2009, Serhan due to the ability of niches to alter the long-term regenerative
2011, Rogerio et al. 2012). potential of a tissue and the inflammatory systems regulation
of stem cells. Stem cells exist in niches, which act as basic
physiological units that integrate signals in order to mediate
stem cell response to organism needs. Niches essentially
2.2.6 Microenvironment Response to regulate the extent to which stem cells are involved in tissue
Inflammation repair, generation, and maintenance. Niche responses are
partially mediated by extracellular matrix components,
Available data point toward promising treatment options while metabolic products such as calcium also affect stem-
for various human disorders based on the support or cell responses to various tissue states (Scadden 2006). The
modulation of the patients individual inflammation potential to influence stem-cell niches through medication
resolution process (Tabas 2010, Filep 2009, Li et al. 2009, begs the question of whether using niches as drug targets may
Merched et al. 2008, Duffield et al. 2006, Martins et al. 2009, be a valuable treatment component. While niche manipulation
Bannenberg 2009, Serhan et al. 2008). Consideration of the has been broadly considered in the context of various chronic
environment in which inflammation occurs and its influence conditions such as cardiac repair, diabetes, and cancer
on the inflammatory process is of critical importance. (National Institutes of Health 2006), these concepts may
Inflammatory reactions often occur within distinct apply to regulation and mediation of chronic inflammatory
microenvironments comprised of tissue specific cells conditions. By targeting the inflammatory system in treatment,
(fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages) and stem cell niches may be influenced by and, in turn, impact the
their specialized ECM components (Serhan et al. 2007, Lax regeneration of affected tissue.
et al. 2007, Buckley 2011). Fibroblasts play an active role in
chronic inflammation, as disordered fibroblast behavior The ECM is also directly involved in the initiation and
can lead to sustained recruitment, inappropriate retention resolution of inflammatory responses (Sorokin 2010),
of leukocytes, and enhanced survival of cells (Buckley et al. as metabolic waste products or exogenous particles that
2001, Buckley 2011). Thus, it is appropriate to target the accumulate in the ECM can function as inflammatory inducers.
tissue microenvironment in addition to the stressor and the Environmental factors such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle are
infiltrating immune cells in treating chronic inflammation. known to affect metabolic pathways (Turnbaugh et al. 2006)
As mentioned above, chronic inflammation is associated and intestinal mucosal permeability (Conterno et al. 2011, Cani,
with many age-related diseases including Alzheimers, Neyrinck, et al. 2007, Goebel et al. 2008), potentially inducing
atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis and cancer (Caruso et al. mucosal inflammation (Cani, Amar, et al. 2007, de La Serre et
2004). Across the lifespan, individuals regularly encounter al. 2010). Obesity often causes physiological perturbations
internal and external antigenic stress, which activates the such as oxidative stress and chronic systemic inflammation
immune system and, over time, leads to the accumulation of (Conterno et al. 2011).
antigenic burden (Freund et al. 2010). This persistent, low-
level immune activation along with the increase of the basal Consideration of the environment or terrain in which
expression of inflammatory factors can initiate and maintain inflammation takes place offers further insight in targeting the
substantial chronic inflammation (Vasto et al. 2007, Caruso et causes of conditions associated with chronic inflammation,
al. 2004, Franceschi et al. 2000). Only when the stressors are beyond targeting symptoms. Due to the biological complexity
addressed can chronic inflammation be resolved. An active of chronic inflammation, however, the same intervention
lymphatic system that promotes lymphatic drainage and could produce different effects in different patients at different
cell migration is important to help the body to eliminate or times. Future therapeutic systems would benefit from the
minimize those stressors, resolve the inflammation, and to ability to assess an inflammatory patients profile, which could
return to a healthy state (Kataru et al. 2009). then help to identify and locate resolution blockages and
underlying pathologies. The ability to measure the history
Given that the communication between a cell and its and culmination of an individuals resolution factors over
microenvironment is bidirectional and forms the basis of time would allow the clinician better to evaluate and treat the
the homeostatic control of many tissues, inflammation and inflammatory status of a patient.
changes in the microenvironment can, collectively, have a
significant impact on many bodily functions. The promotion of
tumorigenesis, as one part of a dual role of the immune system
in cancer, is just one example of how changes at the cellular
level can drive systemic chronic inflammatory disorders
(Grivennikov et al. 2010, Schreiber et al. 2011).

2.2.7 Diagnostics and Therapeutic are not driven by the stressor, which may only be the initiating
event, but rather by the organisms failed attempt to regulate in
Strategy light of the stressor. In an acute infective disease, for example,
a patient with a well-functioning autoregulatory network may
Current therapeutic strategies incorporate the assessment of be able to overcome a stressor such as a bacterial infection,
genetic predisposition (in some cases, even modifying genes by though support from bioregulatory systems medicines
genetic engineering), the elimination of causative agents, and may be necessary. Another patient with an impairment
the modification of resulting pathogenesis. However, in order of the autoregulatory network, by comparison, may need
to achieve significant improvements in patient outcomes, intervention in the form of an antimicrobial in addition to
the complexity of the human organism and the role of this more comprehensive autoregulatory network support.
complexity in health and disease should be considered of
critical importance in any therapeutic strategy. Bioregulatory Bioregulatory systems medicine views symptoms and signs
systems medicine therefore employs the following three only as the footprint of autoregulatory network activation.
fundamental principles in guiding its strategic approach: Beyond easing patient discomfort, symptoms should not
be suppressed, but instead used as a guide to evaluate the
1. The autoregulatory network is the primary therapeutic
status of the autoregulatory network for subsequent clinical
target, instead of the trigger or the symptomatic effect of the
decision-making. In accordance with this perspective,
trigger on the body.
diagnostic measurements that concentrate only on causative
2. The status of the autoregulatory network and the disease factors and their effects miss the opportunity to assess the
progression of the condition determine the intervention. autoregulatory network as an important therapeutic target.
3. Interventions utilize multicomponent, multitarget Diagnostic measurements should therefore be expanded
medications that act in concordance with the multiple network beyond current markers to include the assessment of
interactions, feedback loops, and biorhythms inherent in autoregulatory networks and blocks to autoregulation.
autoregulatory networks. Such measurements have yet to be developed, though, as
effective methods for assessing patient autoregulatory status,
As discussed in prior sections, bioregulatory systems medicine remains an area in need of further research and clinical testing.
emphasizes improvement in patient outcomes through the
support and modulation of the endogenous autoregulatory A clinical model that guides therapeutic decision-making
network in the context of the disease trigger and individual based on the assessment of tissue molecular networks
predisposition (see Introduction). This approach distinguishes in the context of the patients auto-regulatory ability is
bioregulatory systems medicine from the conventional better suited for accurate prediction of disease outcomes,
paradigm, which focuses, in many cases, on treating the intervention follow-up, and disease prevention. The
symptoms that result from the autoregulatory networks autoregulatory state, as determined by homeostatic ability
response to the stressor. In her Science article Polly Matzinger and robustness (see Autoregulation of Bioregulatory
suggested that immune response can be activated not only Networks), can offer a number of therapeutic targets for
by the presense of foreign pathogens, but also by danger diseases with multi-factorial causes or of idiopathic origin.
signals from the microenvironment (Matzinger 2002). This In fibromyalgia, for example, the pathology can be traced
local immunity is primarily determined by the presence of to several perturbed networks, such as the pain processing
self-reacting tissue-localized immune cells (Matzinger 2002). network in the brain and the neuroendocrine network, which
Local immune responses can induce autoregulatory loops encompasses the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands
regulating systemic effects, and manifesting as symptoms (Broderick & Craddock 2013, Cifre et al. 2012). However not
like fever (Cartmell et al. 2003). It has been demonstrated all of these networks will be equally affected across patients
that suppression of fever is associated with poorer patient with this condition. The therapeutic decision must therefore
outcomes (Sugimura et al. 1994). It was also proposed that be individualized and based on an individual patients ability
blocking fever with antipyretics may interfere with normal to regulate the network perturbation, rather than the blanket,
immunological development in the brain during pregnancy all-inclusive treatment currently favored by the conventional
(Torres 2003). Unsurprisingly, some authors suggest that paradigm.
antipyretic therapy should be used with caution. However, it
might be justified if the metabolic costs of fever is exceeded by Within this approach, bioregulatory medical interventions
its physiological benefits, and if the treatment reduces these can range from supporting autoregulatory capacity in the
metabolic costs without adversely affecting the physiological relevant networks, to actively provoking a stimulus to
course of the fibrile illness (Greisman & Mackowiak 2002). restore autoregulatory capabilities and clear the blocks to
autoregulation. Medications with bioregulatory properties
Therapeutic decisions in bioregulatory systems medicine are should not permanently interfere with the bodys
made based on the capacity of the affected autoregulatory autoregulatory networks, but should instead be a temporary
network in relation to the causative stressor. Many diseases intervention with the goal of leaving the system in an optimal

state. The bioregulatory systems medicine approach is also for the organism to become resilient against a number of
preventative in the sense that the optimization of the relevant stressors.
autoregulatory networks can (and should) take place even in the
absence of disease, or when chronic diseases are in remission. An example of this benefit is evident in the treatment of
In diseases with a chronic relapsing course and relatively allergies. The allergic patient typically exhibits an immune
good health during the remission period, regulation can be system that is dysregulated into a Th2 state in the early
regained by eliminating the stressor (spontaneously or via stages (Robinson 2000). Classical medicine emphasizes the
appropriate medical intervention), clearing the blocks to avoidance of and tolerance to the single allergen (stressor).
autoregulation, or supporting the autoregulatory network. Depending on the main allergen, the patient is often asked
Such treatments include medications, manual therapies, and to avoid household dust, pollen, nickel, etc., and may also be
lifestyle changes. asked to take small, attenuated doses of the allergen to induce
tolerance. This is also the basis for desensitization procedures.
In support of bioregulatory systems medicines intervention
strategy, the degree of the bodys dysregulation can Although this treatment approach may work if the patient
be classified into basic patterns which can then serve is allergic to only one substance, it is often the case that the
therapeutic decision-making. This classification is currently patient is allergic to numerous substances, or that the specific
based on the working hypothesis that the clinical picture of allergen cannot be determined. The pathophysiology of allergy
inflammation and its resolution can be used as a surrogate to is complex, however, as immune network perturbation is just
define the status of the autoregulatory network. It is important one of the factors contributing to the disease. This complexity
to note that this hypothesis recognizes that the inflammatory is clearly illustrated in the case of atopic dermatitis (Eyerich &
network is not the only perturbed system of a particular Novak 2013).
disease, or even the main target of the therapeutic approach;
the endocrine, neurological, and other systems are inevitably In bioregulatory systems medicine, the aim is to regulate
affected as well. The clinical picture of inflammation, however, this state into a balance between Th1 and Th2, correcting
may be used as a surrogate marker to classify known diseases numerous network perturbations and thereby restoring the
in order to predict the status of the autoregulatory network. normal autoregulation. This regulation may take months
to achieve, or even several seasons in the case of seasonal
In the future, the integration of all molecular diagnostic allergies. In severe cases, bioregulatory systems medicine
techniques will provide a more detailed picture of the can provide an adjuvant treatment to conventional treatment
status of the individuals regulation capability and disease in the early stages of treatment. Then, as the autoregulatory
progression in the patient. Novel diagnostic solutions, network recovers, bioregulatory systems medicine can serve
including measuring heart rate variability, complex as the standalone treatment.
molecular biomarker panels, and omics technologies
including whole-blood deep sequencing, will allow for the 2. In diseases where the stressor and the dysregulated immune
assessment of the global autoregulation/compensation system are engaged in a perpetuating cycle, blocks to recovery
state and the organisms response to the bioregulatory can be addressed to allow for regulation to take place.
treatment. This type of assessment will also allow the clinician
to make therapeutic decisions and adjust them depending
on the outcome of the intervention along the disease-health Patients with chronic eosinophilic (allergic) fungal
continuum. Additionally, the modeling of a disease as a rhinosinusitis (Van Bruaene et al. 2008), for example, exhibit
molecular/cellular network will lead to the development immune dysregulation into a Th2 state with the resulting
of novel diagnostic test systems tailored to multitarget predisposition for a fungal infestation (Pakdaman et al. 2011,
therapies (Erler & Linding 2010, Kuepfer 2010) that reflect Pant & Macardle 2014, Wang et al. 2014). The fungal infection
system complexity more accurately than conventional perpetuates the eosinophilia via Type I hypersensitivity, while
diagnostic techniques. the Th2 state immune dysregulation allows the fungus to
flourish, resulting in a vicious cycle. Treatment that targets
only the fungus or the eosinophilia-triggered inflammation
often does not have the desired result; however, including
2.2.8 Clinical Focus on Dysregulation the immune regulation with bioregulating medicines adds a
powerful therapeutic benefit. In this regard, when treating
As a therapeutic strategy, bioregulatory systems medicine conditions of severe regulation rigidity without the
holds significant potential in the clinical context, both as adequate and timely restoration of regulation, a more
a standalone treatment and as an adjuvant treatment. comprehensive treatment program is necessary to remove
Specifically, there are several benefits to approaching the all stressors and blocks to autoregulation/compensation,
autoregulatory network as a therapeutic target: and to apply the appropriate courses of bioregulating
medicines.
1. By addressing the dysregulated system, the clinician allows

Autoimmune diseases present another case of immune system 2.2.9 Bioregulatory Clinical
dysregulation. Extensive research over the past decade on the
functions of Treg cells provides evidence that this immune Pharmacology
cell population is located in different cellular environments
and plays an indispensable role in the maintenance of self- One of the primary distinctions between bioregulatory systems
tolerance and immune homeostasis (Sakaguchi et al. 2012). medicine and the conventional paradigm is found in their
Evidently, many mechanisms in different anatomical locations approaches to intervention. In conventional biomedicine,
are contributing, to various extents, to self-tolerance. These molecular pharmacology is considered the cornerstone of
mechanisms could be targeted for therapeutic intervention drug discovery. Paul Ehrlich is often quoted for his postulate
(Sakaguchi et al. 2012). The major challenge bioregulatory of creating magic bullets for the use in the fight against
systems medicine faces is determining how all critical human diseases (Gertsch 2011). Bioregulatory practices prefer
mechanisms can be influenced in order to achieve the to focus on using interventions that support the bodys own
sustainable restoration of physiological regulation. regulation mechanisms.
3. Diseases that share common networks and often Given the systemic nature of these regulatory mechanisms,
manifest together can be treated comprehensively, not only bioregulating interventions must be designed to act on the
symptomatically. multiple networks involved in disease processes. In this
regard, a fundamental principle of bioregulatory systems
It has been suggested that numerous diseases including medicine is the understanding that medications with
asthma (Xiao et al. 2011), chronic rhinosinusitis (Tieu et al. bioregulatory properties can act on multiple organ
2009), atopic eczema (De Benedetto et al. 2011), chronic systems and multiple targets in disease-related molecular
fatigue syndrome (Maes & Leunis 2008), and fibromyalgia networks simultaneously. The multicomponent medication
(Goebel et al. 2008) are influenced by a breach in the integrity HE-300, for example, modulates regulatory networks of
of epithelial membranes. The so-called functional somatic genes associated with synaptic function and plasticity to
syndromes, including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, treat pathophysiological processes in Alzheimers disease.
and chronic fatigue syndrome, are often considered The success of this combination lies in its ability to target
psychosomatic given the absence of a single biomarker several functional modules associated with the physiological
and the inadequacy of current therapeutic solutions. From functions of cognition and learning, synaptic plasticity, vesicle
a system biology perspective, however, the perturbed transport, and -amyloid binding (Schnack et al. 2011).
networks collectively offer a clear picture of dysregulation. Similarly, Cerebrolysin, a neuropeptide preparation from
By addressing the perturbed networks in the absence of an pig brain tissue lysate (Anderson 2013), mimics the action
available biomarker, treatment can both restore regulation of endogenous neurotrophic factors on brain protection
and relieve the syndrome. and repair, and decreases dementia-associated -amyloid
deposition by regulating molecular enzyme machineries,
increasing synaptic density and neuronal tissue plasticity, and
4. Treatment is possible in the case of asymptomatic disease in
restoring neuronal cytoarchitecture (Masliah & Dez-Tejedor
order to optimize the autoregulatory network.
2012). Other approaches currently explore the therapeutic
potential of multicomponent chemokine-like low-affinity-
Diagnostic methods that assess the status of the autoregulatory binding peptide combinations that are designed to modify, but
network will be of particular use in defining this point of not neutralize, the multiple components of the disease-related
optimization, and in allowing for preventative treatment networks and display a non-linear dose response (Ezerzer et
through medications with bioregulatory properties. al. 2009).
5. When certain heritable diseases and diseases where When medications with bioregulatory properties are of
organ failure and tissue damage are at the point at which natural origin, their functions are determined by natural
autoregulation is impossible to restore, bioregulatory combination chemistry and synergy, as their biological
systems medicine can still be used to treat symptoms and activity often results from the additive or synergistic effects of
prevent sequelae, rather than as a standalone treatment. their components. In some cases, the known active ingredients
Therefore, bioregulatory systems medicine can serve as an are potentiated by other components, whereas in other cases
adjuvant treatment to reduce polypharmacy, provide they may reduce the toxicity of the active ingredient. Some
effective and safe relief of symptoms, and prevent cascade authors argue that natural products are particularly effective
iatrogenesis. because their multicomponent nature utilizes complex and
diversified strategies to combat disease progression. Indeed,
By approaching the autoregulatory network as the target for foundational to the BrSM model is the understanding that
clinical focus, bioregulatory systems medicine serves as a about 250,000 living plant species contain a much greater
powerful adjunct tool for conventional medicine as well as a diversity of bioactive compounds than any chemical library
potential solution to therapeutic gaps that currently exist in made by humans, such that evolution has been selecting
the clinical context. and perfecting diverse bioactive molecules for much longer

than any pharmaceutical company (Raskin et al. 2002, p.524). is that medications with bioregulatory properties facilitate
autoregulation by acting on multiple targets (nodes) in disease-
These synergistic strategies can be much more comprehensive perturbed networks simultaneously. In this way biological
and broader in their scope of effects than single-component information flow can be directly and purposefully influenced.
drugs (Lila 2007), though the underlying concept is not The efficacy of this multitarget mode of action is determined by
new. Synergy is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and the ability to reverse the clinical picture of disease.
is widely used in numerous scientific disciplines, including
thermodynamics, biophysics, biochemistry, molecular A multitarget medication strategy inevitably raises questions
biology, and neurobiology (Corning 1998). The synergy of about the number of known molecular targets that can
biological effects of plants in medicine is well documented, and be used for future combination design. Whereas current
encompasses synergistic multitarget effects, physicochemical databases include targets derived from biological information
effects based on improved solubility, antagonization of sequencing, there is little evidence on autoregulatory network
resistance mechanisms, and elimination or neutralization of information. Future database development that considers the
toxic substances (Wagner 2011). As such, multi-combination complexity of regulatory information will likely expand the
and/or multi-system low dose medications, preferably of drug target landscape to unprecedented levels. Nonetheless,
natural origin, are well suited for the bioregulatory medical existing knowledge can support the design of multitarget
approach and offer the potential for a graded response to medications that will act on multiple targets across known
treatment. disease networks. Specifically, three drug design strategies are
suggested in the literature:
In the context of bioregulatory systems medicine, the efficacy 1. Use multiple individual medications in therapy schemes
of a complex medication is determined by its ability to (Pimenta et al. 2014);
influence multiple interactions to reverse the clinical
2. Develop multicomponent medications that contain two or
picture of disease. Combinatorial strategies can be broadly
more active ingredients (Zimmermann et al. 2007);
used to design effective formula medications, specifically
through the inhibition of pathophysiological pathways 3. Develop single-component medications that act on multiple
implicated in a disease, and the simultaneous modulation targets simultaneously (Csermely et al. 2005).
of other interconnected pathways that contribute directly
or indirectly to the reversal of disease progression. In this Bioregulatory systems medicine embraces all three strategies,
regard, biological information of regulatory networks can to the extent that they support the intent of neither blocking
be directly and purposefully influenced with multitarget nor interfering with endogenous resolution pathways that
medications (Figure 8). In addition to new medication design, help to reduce therapy side-effects and promote long-term
this strategy can be applied to the vast datasetb of existing benefits. Inhibitory pharmacological intervention may
drugs to create new, unique formulas. This approach is also be an option of choice when a single disease causative
already being used in the development of cancer therapeutics, factor is identified and must be eliminated, and there
where eight drugs have currently been launched that inhibit is insufficient time to complete a proper bioregulatory
more than one regulatory enzyme. Evidence suggests that treatment, as in the case of acute MI or stroke.
this multiple target activity has proven advantageous in an
oncology setting (Gertsch 2011, p.1087). Bioregulatory systems medicine also endorses the idea that
when multiple independent targets of the same pathway
are inhibited simultaneously, a mild inhibition of each
target is sufficient to achieve a much larger therapeutic
window and a therapeutically relevant effect (Yang et al.
2008). Certain natural products in botanical drugs can weakly
target different proteins within the same signaling network,
thus shutting down the entire signaling process simply
through network pharmacology or biochemical synergism
(Gertsch 2011). For example, recent evidence shows that a
combination of St. Johns Wort and passion flower extracts
resulted in greater anti-depressant effects at four times lower
concentrations than St. Johns Wort extract alone (Fiebich et
al. 2011). Another study revealed that vasorelaxant properties
of Vertigoheel combination are emerging from enhancing
cyclic nucleotide (cAMP/cGMP) signaling in the arterial wall
by synergistic stimulation of adenylate cyclase and inhibition
of phosphodiesterase 5 (Heinle et al. 2010). These examples
illustrate the therapeutic potential of synergy through
Figure 8. Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology. A combinations composed from components in relatively low
fundamental postulation of bioregulatory systems medicine molecular concentrations. Some evidence even indicates

that increasing active ingredient concentration from nano- properties with experimentally sound data (Gertsch 2011).
range dose to micro-range dose may result in the loss of the
synergistic action of the whole combination (Crippa et al. It should also be noted that one of the major challenges of
2008). the multicomponent approach relates to the unpredictable or
arguably atypical pharmacokinetic properties of combinatorial
Generally speaking, medications used in the BrSM model medications, particularly those in concentration ranges lower
exhibit four fundamental advantages of a multicomponent, than those that can be predicted by linear pharmacology
combinatorial strategy over a single-component strategy: models. The dose-response concept of hormesis, for example,
is a generalizable model used to characterize the biological
1. Synergistic effects target a wider range of information pattern of low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition
flow in disease-related biological networks; (Calabrese 2008, Mattson 2008). This biphasic dose response
2. Modest modulation allows for more efficient control of provides one framework for evaluating low-dose mixtures and
biological networks; their potentially beneficial biological impact and application.
3. Low concentrations ensure higher safety of the whole
combination; Potential risks of drug-drug interactions are also of concern.
In order to address these challenges, some authors suggest
4. Drug resistance is much less probable (Kong et al. 2009).
utilizing historical experience embedded in conventional
medicines to shift drug discovery strategies from finding
Among the advantages of the multicomponent, combinatorial new-entity drugs to combining existing agents (Kong et al.
strategy is the potential to target multiple nodes of the 2009). As the means for best developing and evaluating the
autoregulatory networks that are perturbed and involved use of multicomponent medications represents an ongoing
in disease progression. These networks may be tissue- line of research and inquiry, bioregulatory systems medicine
specific or systemic, encompassing inter-organ interactions. supports the position that a multicomponent, multitarget
Therapeutics designed to bioregulate these networks may medical management model may be a solution to current
include combinations that target specific tissues and organs, inadequate treatments for multi-factorial diseases.
aiming to restore molecular coherence and enhance tissue
plasticity (e.g. by modulating stem cell regulation). These
Bioregulatory therapies should also be considered in the
therapeutics may also influence networks that are present in
context of biological rhythms. It is suggested that modulation
many tissues (e.g. inflammation molecular network), thereby
of neuroimmune and hormonal regulatory networks by
aiming to achieve resolution of the distorted information
therapeutic interventions should consider biological rhythms
flow throughout the whole body. To this end, bioregulatory
in treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (Cutolo &
systems medicine is a method of choice in treating multi-
Straub 2008). It is now generally recognized that in addition
factorial disease when restoration of autoregulation
to the central circadian clock located in hypothalamus (Buijs
of perturbed biological networks is still achievable,
et al. 2006), peripheral tissues also have their own local
although the challenge remains to define the principles by
circadian pacemakers that exhibit oscillatory behavior (Druzd
the combination of treatments can be made. Molecular
& Scheiermann 2013) and have significant physiological
diagnostics and medication fingerprinting based on whole-
functions that may influence whole-body regulation (Lamia
genome analytical platforms (e.g. pharmacogenomics) may
et al. 2008). Moreover, the interconnectedness between
provide a solution.
molecular regulatory networks (e.g. nuclear receptor signaling
pathways) and molecular and central clocks strongly support
Furthermore, the concurrent and gentle use of more the idea of the global circadian autoregulatory network
than one natural substance in alignment with a network coordinating diverse physiological processes among tissues
medicine approach may offer a safe and effective to maintain homeodynamics (Yang 2010). This evidence is
alternative to the current medical paradigm. It is still clinically relevant, suggesting that therapeutic interventions
debatable, however, whether all therapeutic interventions should not interfere with biological rhythms, as these rhythms
inevitably result in changes in biological regulatory may actually determine the proper timing of an intervention.
networks that influence the bodys overall homeodynamics. For example, when timing of chemotherapy was investigated
Some believe that the pharmacological properties of a with respect to the CRP immune oscillatory cycle, a trend
multicomponent, bioregulating medication should be fully emerged showing an association between the timing of
assessed by integrating standard toxicological methods with delivery of the drugs and improved outcome. Researches
selected pathway-focused bioassays and unbiased data- hypothesized that timing drugs at the peaks of the CRP cycle
acquisition strategies (Gostner et al. 2012). Others emphasize might maximize the immune effector response in patients with
the rational design of multitarget medications, stressing cancer (Coventry et al. 2009).
the need to validate these combinations and their drug-like
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
b
Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry database accessible online at: http://accelrys.com/products/databases/bioactivity/comprehensive-
medicinal-chemistry.html.

2.2.10 Patient Health-Disease Continuum participatory (Hood & Flores 2012). P4 medicine advocates for
the combination of network and systems-level insights, digital
technologies, and large sets of individual data to transform
The systemic nature of disease, as understood by bioregulatory
medicine into an information science that is better capable of
systems medicine, provides the basis for recognizing health
promoting clinical well being.
and pathology as dynamic, integral processes. Bioregulatory
systems medicine understands disease progression as
the result of an autoregulatory process that is disturbed The ability to identify molecular networks shared by the
or challenged by an overwhelming stressor and cannot progression of multiple diseases begs the question as to
function adequately to restore homeodynamics. In this whether the ability to model an individuals health-disease
context the dynamics of patient disease progression contribute continuum would also provide clinically relevant information.
to the understanding of a health-disease continuum, along In a recent study, whole-genome sequencing was applied to a
which a patient can be diagnosed, treated at multiple blood sample from a patient with a history of vascular disease
therapeutic access points, and monitored in terms of how and early sudden death as a means of developing a model
networks of pathophysiological processes resolve to a state of of the patients individual disease network. The resultant
health. Mechanisms of disease can be considered in terms of model displayed an interconnected picture of disease-
dynamic relationships with clear influences of certain organs modifiable factors such as smoking, diet, alcohol, exercise, and
and organ systems over other organs or organ systems, with medication use, as well as risks for developing coronary artery
symptoms being an expression of the bodys autoregulation disease, obesity, osteoarthritis, and Type 2 diabetes. Given the
capacities in response to a stressor. Modern technological high correlation among these diseases, the authors concluded
methods reveal more and more organ-to-organ relationships that information regarding individual patient disease risk
that may be otherwise unexpected, such as in the case of the and response to drugs can be derived from whole-genome
hypothalamus-adipose tissue-liver axis (Dobrin et al. 2009). sequence data (Ashley et al. 2010). From a clinical practice
perspective, this research suggests that in any individual
patient, disease interconnectedness (by shared molecular
The progression of a disease is facilitated by disturbed
events) represents the individuals health-disease
or inadequate autoregulatory abilities of the organism.
continuum, reflected in the patients medical history.
Genetic variation may contribute to disease largely through
misregulation of gene expression. Mutations in the transcription
factors that control cell state may impact the autoregulatory Companies in the scientific medical community have already
loops that are at the core of cellular regulatory circuitry, begun developing disease models and validating them in an
leading to the loss of a normal healthy cell state. Misregulation RCT setting, for example in diabetes (Eddy & Schlessinger
of noncoding RNAs can also contribute to disease (Lee & Young 2003). The success of such modeling supports the idea that
2013). These insights indicate that genetic and epigenetic simulating the dynamic evolution of health-to-disease
factors may collectively influence autoregulation at all levels processes can be used to predict the response of a whole
of biological organization. In the case of disease, the effects of inflammatory/wound-healing biological network, rather
these genetic variants can be expressed at the molecular level than the response of particular inflammatory mediators.
as persistent perturbations of information flow in biological Given the importance the inflammatory process to the
networks. bioregulatory systems medicine approach, the potential to
identify and monitor inflammatory network states may provide
valuable diagnostic entry points for assessing the functionality
Research on such effects at the molecular level allows for
of a patients global autoregulatory network.
a better understanding of the molecular basis of disease
progression, and the potential to determine common
disease-state signatures that can be useful for drug target Appropriate diagnostic technological platforms are also
identification. In his presentation at the European Molecular essential for capturing relevant biological information at the
Biology Laboratory Conference in 2012, entitled, Omics necessary level of detail. In the context of the bioregulatory
and Personalized Health, Leroy Hood demonstrated the systems medicine approach, lipidomics, metabolomics,
identification of four molecular networks perturbed during genomics, and proteomics are technologies that can help
the progression of a prion diseasec in mouse models. The to detect and monitor the inflammatory state of a patient
global molecular information was monitored at various time in order to diagnose more comprehensively. Blood may
points throughout the disease progression: from onset, to also provide a powerful diagnostic window into health and
the appearance of symptoms, to the final disease stages. disease, and certain technologies have the potential to
Interestingly, the four identified networks of the prion disease analyze numerous molecular signals from a droplet of blood
are also those perturbed in other neurodegenerative diseases (Hood et al. 2004). The diagnostic potential of analyzing saliva
such as Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease, Parkinsons (Zauber et al. 2012) and urine (Sharma et al. 2011) are also
disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This finding being explored.
aligns with Hoods proactive P4 medicine paradigm, which
uses concepts from systems medicine to develop a model of In summary, the concept of health-disease continuum
medicine that is predictive, preventative, personalized, and incorporates patients disease progression within the broader

context of individual (multi-)morbidity by integrating patient disease progression. Given the current healthcare and medical
history, physical examination, routine laboratory tests and challenges, it is evident that the single-molecule, single-target
cutting-edge molecular diagnostic techniques (e.g. whole- paradigm does not provide the specificity and sophistication
genome profiling) into a disease network. The ability to that a multitarget, multicomponent model demands. To this
identify disease stages with resolution at the gene expression end, new medications and treatment protocols are warranted
level provides the clinician with a more complex, detailed, and to target and bioregulate perturbed autoregulatory networks
accurate picture of multi-factorial, chronic disease than what is toward resolution.
typically available through previously developed techniques.
Medical practitioners must also be equipped with more
complex interventions that are able to influence and modify
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
c
Prion disease is a neurodegerative disease characterized by toxic accumulation of misfolded prion protein molecules in the brain tissue that leads
to the degeneration and death of neurons.

Interpretation of the Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model
3. Interpretation of the 3.1 Model Dimensions

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine At the broadest level, we can examine conceptual patterns
Model that reveal how the content is distributed across the two-
dimensional model representation (Figure 9). Just as one can
The previous sections described the scope of each cluster reference tendencies across the dimensions of a geographical
of the BrSM model based on the statements each contains map (e.g. the weather is colder in the north, warmer in the
and relevant supporting evidence. While these descriptions south), we can reference tendencies across dimensions of the
are structured as ten distinct elements for the purpose of BrSM concept map that integrate the scientific and clinical
conveying the coherence of each emergent concept, several elements.
themes permeate the entire model, revealing a conceptual
underpinning that unifies the individual statements and For example, the content located closest to the Biological
clusters. Autoregulation for example, as a primary objective Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale cluster
of bioregulatory systems medicine, is critically important relates most strongly to communication and signaling at
in articulating the relevance of each cluster in achieving the cellular level, particularly as it occurs within and by way
improved patient outcomes. Similarly, information flow of the extracellular matrix. The content located closest to
is incorporated in the explication of each cluster given its the Biological Communication across Multi-Scale Networks
cardinal role as something that can be directed or influenced cluster reflects a more systems-level understanding of how
to affect patient health-disease status. Disease progression, information flows between molecular networks/organ systems
biomarkers, and body burden are other examples of elements at the whole organism level. We observe the emergence
that are ubiquitous in the model. of a conceptual through-line across the map that contains
elements related to the role of biological information in
The presence of these themes throughout the model suggests the BrSM model. We can label this dimension (or axis) of the
interconnectivity among the core elements, and signifies map as Biological Information. Whereas we identify a clear
particular relationships that are critical to understanding the delineation between the relatively micro and macro level
principles of bioregulatory systems medicine as a cohesive focuses of these clusters, we can recognize themes that are
approach. In recalling the objective of the model to combine common to both of these clusters and the clusters between
existing knowledge in a novel, integrated way, we can now them. The relevance of autoregulation, for example, is
consider the connotations of this integration as it addresses considered at different levels of specificity and in different
the challenges facing medicine today. Just as the location of contexts depending on its location along this dimension.
each statement in one of the ten clusters is itself a unique and
emergent property of the model, so too are the relationships Next, if we examine the dimension perpendicular to Biological
among these clusters and their collective implications for the Information, we can recognize a distinction among relatively
properties and utility of the BrSM model. internal and external resolution mechanisms. The content
located closer to the Inflammation Physiology cluster relates
The group concept mapping methodology used to produce strongly to the human organisms natural ability to reach
the model is a systems methodology driven by participant resolution in the face of perturbation, particularly as it relates to
perceptions that yields simple representations of emergent, inflammation process mechanisms. The content located closer
complex relationships. The unique scope and contents of each to the Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology cluster pertains to
cluster exists as an emergent product of the simple, linear the use and application of therapeutics in the clinical context
steps in the concept mapping process, and was not predictable to reach resolution. We contrast the opposing directions
beforehand from the 102 statements alone. Therefore, the of this dimension to conclude that content located closer to
clusters themselves and their relative location within the Inflammation Physiology is more relevant to the organisms
framework are dependent upon the collective perceptions internal resolution capability and mechanisms, whereas the
of participants and the aggregation (or interaction) of those content located closer to Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology
perceptions by virtue of the analytic process. To this end, we is more relevant to the utilization of external interventions to
can begin to understand the emergent properties of the BrSM promote resolution. In this regard, we can label this dimension
model that lead us to a more in-depth interpretation. This or axis of the map as Resolution Processes (Figure 9).
new way of looking at existing information is fundamentally
grounded in the connectivity of the parts and their subsequent
meaning as a whole.

utilization of this integrated picture to restore coherence in the

event of perturbation. As a guide for clinical decision-making,
the Biological Information axis suggests that the clinician
consider characteristics of the disease, whereas the Resolution
Processes axis considers mechanisms of intervention.

Conceptual Model: Dimensions and Anchors. This figure
illustrates the conceptual dimensions and anchors of the
model that emerged from the group concept mapping
process, analysis, and interpretation of the interrelationships
among the clusters. The vertical dimension in this figure is
labeled Resolution Processes, as the content along this axis
relates to participants conceptualization of disease resolution
occurring through both internal and external mechanisms.
This dimension is anchored at one end by the Inflammation
Physiology cluster, where the model content relates strongly
to the human organisms innate ability to reach disease
resolution in the face of perturbation, particularly as it relates
to inflammation process mechanisms. The opposite end
of this dimension is anchored by the Bioregulatory Clinical
Pharmacology cluster, where the content most explicitly relates
to the use of medications with bioregulatory properties in
order to reach disease resolution. Perpendicular to Resolution
Processes is the dimension Biological Information, along
which the content relates to communication within and
across micro and macro levels of biological organization.
This dimension is anchored at one end by the Biological
Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale cluster,
where the content describes communication at the cellular
level, particularly referring to the extracellular matrix. At the
opposite end, this dimension is anchored by the Biological
Communication Across Multi-Scale Networks cluster, which
describes how biological information flows across molecular
(cellular, tissue, organ) networks at the whole organism level.
______________________________________________
All elements (statements and clusters) of the model exist in

various places along these dimensions, indicating that, at the
theoretical level, the bioregulatory approach is driven by the
goal of stimulating resolution processes through consideration
of the communication and information pathways of the
human organism. In the clinical context, the model conveys
the two fundamental concepts for approaching a patients
disease in bioregulatory systems medicine: the development
of an integrated picture of biological information, and the

3.2 Anchor Constructs Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale, Biological

Communication across Multi-Scale Networks) at opposing ends
of the axes positions these constructs, visually and spatially, as
The meaning of these dimensions in clinical practice can be the conceptual anchors of the model. The farther on the concept
more specifically distilled by examining the implications of map an idea is located from Inflammation Physiologyfor
those clusters most centrally aligned on either end of each axis. example, the less it is related to internal resolution processes,
In essence, the Inflammation Physiology and Bioregulatory and the more it is related to external resolution processes, as
Clinical Pharmacology clusters communicate the how articulated by Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology, and vice
of physiological coherence and restoration in the overall versa. Similarly, the farther an idea is located from Biological
bioregulatory systems medicine approach. Specifically, Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale, the less it is
these clusters lead the clinician to explore questions about related to micro level information, and the more it is related
intervention such as: How do the inflammatory processes to macro level information, as articulated by Biological
function to influence autoregulation, and what are the Communication across Multi-Scale Networks. The content
physiological factors involved? How should bioregulating of these four clusters best represents the contrasting ends of
medications be designed and applied to effectively restore their respective dimensions, thereby grounding the gradients
homeodynamics? of biological information and resolution processes in the
context of bioregulatory systems medicine.
At opposing ends of the Biological Information dimension,
the Biological Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale The unique, emergent position of these clusters as conceptual
and Biological Communication across Multi-Scale Networks anchors is also validated methodologically. Structurallyd, these
clusters convey the what of the overall bioregulatory four clusters are more densely populated with statements
systems medicine approach. Along this gradient, the content than the other clusters of the map, indicating that participants
specifies those elements necessary to understanding the range perceived a higher degree of conceptual similarity among
of biological signaling and communication pathways that the set of items in each of these four clusters, relative to the
underlie autoregulation. Specifically, these clusters lead one other clusters. The density of these clusters implies a high
to explore questions of: What is taking place at the cellular, or degree of consensus among stakeholders, which suggests that
micro, level of the human organism that influences regulatory participants collectively perceived a greater degree of clarity
capability? What is taking place at the network, or macro, and distinctiveness in the meaning of these sets of items,
level to influence regulation across systems? At the micro relative to the other clusters.
level, emphasis is placed on the role of the extracellular matrix
in pathological conditions, particularly with regard to the
accumulation of toxins, disease progression, and transcription Functionallye, these clusters demonstrate the highest degree of
patterns. At the macro level, information and signaling internal relatedness, indicating that participants understood
across molecular networks direct regulatory action among the statements in each of these four clusters as more strongly
organ systems, such that the large-scale complexity of the related to one another and less related to the statements in
cellular-level interactions can be understood as an integrated, the other clusters of the model. (Goldman & Kane 2014). In
interconnected picture of human health. addition to being the structural anchors of the map, these four
clusters are also the functional anchors of the map, in the sense
that they function as the cohesive, agreed-upon, foundational
The location of these four clusters (Inflammation classes of information from which the conceptual role of the
Physiology, Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology, Biological other six clusters can be considered.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
d
In group concept mapping, structure refers to points and clusters and their relative location to one another as they appear on the map. Distance
between points and clusters can be used as a structural indicator of conceptual similarity; items that appear closer to one another on the map tend
to be more conceptually similar than items that appear farther apart.
e
In group concept mapping, functional relatedness refers to the quantifiable degree to which the set of items in a given cluster were perceived as
conceptually related to one another (external relatedness) and to themselves (internal relatedness) based the frequency at which participants as
a group sorted statements with one another during the structuring activity. More details on the functional analysis can be found in Appendix B.

3.3 Intermediary and Bridging as well as conveyors of critical biological information for
the clinician to consider in improving patient condition.
Constructs Symptoms, progression of a disease, autoregulatory abilities,
and detection of inflammatory status can all be considered
As with the anchors, an in-depth examination of the content informative expressions of an individuals health status that
that comprises the other six clusters (Microenvironment can be used to personalize treatment.
Response to Inflammation, Inflammatory Network Response
to Perturbation, Autoregulation of Biological Networks, Patient These six clusters emerge as conceptual bridges whose
Health-Disease Continuum, Diagnostics and Therapeutic statements can be used to analyze and articulate the
Strategy, Clinical Focus on Dysregulation) reveals the unique relationships or connections between the anchors
role of these constructs in the architecture of the bioregulatory and dimensions. Structurally, these clusters occupy a
systems medicine paradigm. The characteristics of these six comparatively larger area of the map and are, overall, less
clusters can be first recognized visually/spatially, and then in densely populated with statements than the anchors. Their
terms of their content, which reveals their distinctiveness at relatively expansive area suggests that participants perceived
a conceptual level. This is further validated methodologically. considerable similarity among the set of items in these clusters
and the set of items in their respective adjacent anchors. In
Spatially, these six clusters are located between the anchors. other words, there was less consensus among participants that
as described previously, the information in each of these these six clusters occupy a conceptual position in the BrSM
clusters relates to the anchoring concepts along the relevant model that can be utilized independently from the anchors;
conceptual line. Microenvironment Response to Inflammation, rather, their value in the approach is optimally derived from
for example, brings together the physiology of inflammation their ability to build coherence among the anchor constructs,
with micro or local level information regulation in a and logically bridge the core elements in a way that can be
description of the environment in which inflammation practically applied in the clinical context. Thus, we refer to
initiation and resolution take place. Inflammatory Network these six clusters as the intermediary clusters.
Response to Perturbation articulates the mechanisms of
inflammation with a more thorough understanding of the In physical space, the utility of a bridge that connects two
systemic and informational components of this physiological locations can be measured by how easily one can traverse from
process. In this context, the concepts of molecular order and one end to the other. Similarly, we can consider the strength
regulatory molecules introduce the regulation of information or utility of each intermediary cluster based on how well their
associated with inflammation at the network level. statements logically articulate the relationships between the
anchors. A functional interaction analysis of the statements
Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy conveys the practical in each intermediary cluster is a means of visualizing how
use of macro or global network level information in the effectively each intermediary cluster bridges the anchors. The
design and application of medication with bioregulatory degree to which the space between each anchor is relatively
properties. This cluster emphasizes the use of diagnostics evenly populated with statements is suggestive of the extent
in bioregulatory systems medicine, such that autoregulatory to which the intermediary cluster(s) functions clearly or
networks can be appropriately assessed and interpreted in completely as a conceptual bridge (Figure 10).
a way that will effectively guide treatment. The content in
this area also highlights the use of diagnostics for furthering
our knowledge of disease progression, thereby enhancing
strategic therapeutic decision making. Clinical Focus on
Dysregulation identifies specific conditions and pathologies
for which bioregulatory systems medicine is well suited,
although additional content, particularly regarding toxicity,
may be helpful in fully realizing the relationship between the
extracellular matrix and the clinical context.
Patient Health-Disease Continuum occupies a unique position

in the center of the map, where one can envision the intersection
of the Resolution Processes and Biological Information
axes. This cluster emerges as the hub that personalizes
the theoretical foundation of the model, emphasizing the Figure 10. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent
individual, patient-centric basis of bioregulatory systems Conceptual Model: Intermediary Clusters. The intermediary
medicine. As the structural core of the paradigm, the clusters are spatially located between the anchor clusters, and
patient considerations articulated in this construct include can be described as conceptual bridges that relate to their
factors for the clinician to consider in optimizing resolution, respective neighbouring anchors. The figure below illustrates

the statements of each intermediary cluster as arranged

between the clusters corresponding anchors. A statements
distance from either anchor reflects the relative strength of
relatedness that participants collectively perceived among
that particular statement and the neighboring anchors. The
degree to which the space (blue line) between each anchor is
relatively evenly populated with statements may suggest the
extent to which the intermediary cluster effectively functions
as a conceptual bridge between the anchors.
______________________________________________
Those areas that contain more gaps, or where statements are

less evenly distributed, between the anchors suggest that
the intermediary clusters may function less effectively as a
conceptual bridge. Of importance to note is the potential
variation in what a gap may signify in the context of the model.
In some instances, a gap may indicate that less information was
included in the model to fully detail the relationships between
anchors. In other instances, it is possible that information is
not currently available to more fully bridge the anchors, such
that the gap may be suggestive of opportunities for future
research concentrations. It is also possible that participants
were not able to clearly perceive the conceptual relatedness
between some anchors.
While further inquiry is needed to more thoroughly understand

the significance of the gaps in each bridge, the development
of a formal diagnostic platform for bioregulatory systems
medicine is likely to aide in realizing and validating the
relationships among its scientific and clinical elements.
Diagnostics are also essential in making therapeutic decisions.
The ability to evaluate the autoregulatory patterns of a patient
is critical in determining the appropriate combination of
treatments to achieve homeostasis. Although inflammatory
cytokine patterns (Agust et al. 2012) and allostatic state
models (Romero et al. 2009) may provide useful surrogates for
measurement in the absence of formal diagnostics, genomic
patterns (Mesko et al. 2010) are likely to better delineate the
autoregulatory status of a patient. The information elicited
from genomic patterns can potentially fill gaps that signify the
need increasing understanding of the scientific basis relative
to the more conceptually sound anchors of the model.

3.4 Clinical Significance and promotion of improvement in a patients condition, particularly

as it relates to addressing the underlying cause of disease,as
Overarching Principles opposed to focusing exclusively on symptom relief. Whereas
many conventional treatments remain static despite changes
As a whole, the integrated components of the BrSM model in patient condition, the BrSM model anticipates changes
constitute a holistic approach to human health that can in patient phenotype, which in turn requires a dynamic
potentially close the gap between current medical challenges perspective on what is taking place at the micro and macro
and ideal patient outcomes (Figure 11). The model conveys network levels, and how resolution can be achieved through
three overarching principles by which bioregulatory systems internal and external means.
medicine addresses the challenges posed by the conventional
paradigm. Secondly, medication with bioregulating properties is
purposefully designed to be multitarget, so that it acts
therapeutically on multiple biological targets simultaneously.
Whereas this design concept is most specifically addressed
in the anchor Medications with Bioregulatory Properties,
the scientific basis that supports a multitarget approach is
conveyed by way of the Clinical Focus on Dysregulation and
Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy clusters that bridge
medication design with network physiology at the cellular and
system levels. In this regard, the BrSM model portrays strategic
alignment between its approach to medication design and its
scientific, biological foundation. Local and systemic network
regulation provide the physiological basis and rationale for
multitarget, multicomponent medication design, thereby
reconciling the limitations of single-target, single-molecule
pharmacology that does not account for the functional
interconnectedness of health and disease processes.
Finally, the central structural and functional position of Patient

Health-Disease Continuum in the model denotes emphasis on
the individual as an adaptive, robust organism in the context
of a continuously changing environment that includes disease.
The fact that this cluster is relatively equally functionally
related to all other clusters of the model supports the view of a
patients individual health-disease status as being influenced
Figure 11. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Conceptual by the multiple pathways (in this case, conceptual clusters)
Clinical Application Model. The model is depicted as a unified involved in supporting autoregulatory ability. Whereas the
entity of three integrated levels. The fundamental core consists conventional paradigm is oriented toward complete and
of four autoregulatory clusters (white), enveloped by the layer linear inhibition of molecular pathways implicated in disease
of dysregulation clusters (light blue), which in turn is enclosed pathology, bioregulatory systems medicine recognizes disease
by final layer of therapeutic clusters (dark blue). In this way as a dynamic entity within individual parameters of potential.
the model informs the relevant fundamental underpinnings The BrSM model highlights the interconnectedness and
of human biology that result in the clinical picture observed interdependencies among patient health status and all other
in individual patients. The proper assessment of this clinical physiological and therapeutic elements of the bioregulatory
picture guides individualized clinical decision making that approach. Therapeutic treatment of the same condition is
is based on the underlying cause of disease. For a detailed readily modified and adjusted according to the dynamic nature
explanation, refer to Clinical Significance and Overarching of the disease process and the patients response to treatment.
Principles.
______________________________________________
First, the existence of dimensions in the model, along which

varying degrees of biological information and resolution
mechanisms considered, supports the temporal evolution
of a patients condition that is critical to bioregulatory
systems medicine. It is proactive in its approach to disease
management, with an emphasis on the anticipation and

Clinical Application In Practice
4. Clinical Application In Practice comprehensive, dynamic approach to the patient.
The BrSM model and the interrelatedness of the clusters form To illustrate: Figure 12 describes a novel conceptualization
a comprehensive system for assessing a patient, determining of disease progression that integrates information on the
the health-disease continuum, and formulating the necessary autoregulatory status of two hypothetical patients (Patients
and optimal intervention. Furthermore, bioregulatory systems X and Y). Mapping an individuals autoregulatory status in a
medicine offers the possibility of following the patients temporal fashion produces a visualization of individualized
progress during treatment, and therefore equips the physician disease progression. This visualization displays areas of robust
with the capacity to change the prescription as a patient autoregulation capacity (marked area, Figure 12B) in contrast
improves. to other areas where autoregulatory capacity is reduced.
The therapeutic strategy proposed by the BrSM model
suggests that a therapeutic effort is focused on moving a
The Biological Information axis (Figure 9) can be used to patients autoregulatory status to a state of more favorable
consider the model in two distinct sections. Above this axis, autoregulation capacity, where bioregulatory therapy can
the statements and clusters represent the pathophysiology be most efficiently applied to strengthen autoregulation
that will serve as a way to assess the patient. Those (hypothetical Patient X). It is assumed that in more advanced
statements and clusters below the Biological Information axis cases, it may not be possible to reach a state of favorable
can serve as tools for realizing and deriving the bioregulatory autoregulation capacity (hypothetical Patient Y). Bioregulatory
intervention. From a more empirical perspective, the ten intervention would be based on the patients position on
emergent model clusters can be also considered within three the map and, depending on the individual case, could serve
thematic groupings (Figure 11). The autoregulation clusters as primary, secondary, or complementary treatment to
(Biological Communication across Multi-Scale Networks, suppressive or replacement therapy. In the future, molecular
Biological Communication at Microenvironment-Scale, network patterns, yet to be established by means of omics
Inflammation Physiology and Autoregulation of Biological technologies, may serve as more objective diagnostics for this
Networks) describe the physiological autoregulation of disease state mapping. These patterns would ideally identify
biological networks, focusing on the role of inflammation as which molecular networks should be targeted, and would also
a master regulator of tissue homeostasis. The content of guide the selection of appropriate bioregulatory therapeutic
the autoregulation cluster group stresses the importance of intervention.
biologic communication in human biology both locally, on a
microenvironment-scale in tissues, and systemically, across
multi-scale networks connecting all tissues and organs in
the body. The dysregulation clusters (Inflammatory Network
Response to Perturbation, Microenvironment Response to
Inflammation and Patient Health-Disease Continuum) describe
the human bodys response to perturbation. The content of this
cluster group emphasizes the role of inflammatory response
as possible surrogate marker for the degree of dysregulation in
the face of perturbations in biological networks. Non-resolving
inflammation is indicative of autoregulation being unable to
overcome the perturbation, and, consequently, impairing
biological communication on the microenvironment-
scale, causing morphologic changes in tissues. As a result
of interplay between the inflammatory network response
and microenvironment response to inflammation, disease
uniquely progresses along the health-disease continuum in
every individual patient. The therapeutic clusters (Diagnostics
and Therapeutic Strategy, Clinical Focus on Dysregulation
and Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology) link the patients
autoregulatory status with clinical decision making. While
Figure 12 Novel conceptualization of disease progression
the Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy cluster emphasizes
introducing patients autoregulatory status. Disease
an integrative approach in clinical decision making that is
progression is commonly understood as the worsening of a
dependent upon the assessed autoregulatory capacity of a
disease over time. In 1980, the World Health Organization
patient, Clinical Focus on Dysregulation indicates a need to
published the International Classification of Impairments,
identify the perturbed biological networks as the underlying
Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) with the objective of
cause of a disease. The Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology
providing a widely accepted structure of the consequences of
cluster describes the properties of medications that are most
disease and of implications for the lives of patients. Expanding
useful in this context. The model thus serves the clinician as a
on this model, this figure includes a conceptualization of the

Clinical Application In Practice
autoregulatory status of two patients.

A. The concept of disease progression adapted from the 1980
WHO ICIDH model. Blue-to-black colors indicate conceptual
disease worsening stages, and depicts principal milestones
between stages. The dashed line indicates that there is no
strict sequential order between stages or milestones, and the
linear structure is used for simplicity.
B. A schematic conceptualization of the disease progression
as a four-quadrant map. In the BrSM model, this is called the
Patients Health-Disease Continuum. The arrowed dashed
lines represent the hypothetical disease progression in patients
X and Y. In contrast to simplified linear concepts focusing
on identifying disease stages in decision-making, the map
concept positions these stages in relation to dysregulation
parameters represented by horizontal and vertical axes.
In the BrSM model, systemic dysregulation parameters
are conceptualized as Inflammatory Network Response
to Perturbation, and local dysregulation parameters
are conceptualized as Microenvironment Response to
Inflammation. Increased dysregulation is indicated as the
lines move toward the top or right. It is suggested that the ratio
between these two dysregulation parameters theoretically
defines the autoregulatory status of a patient. For a detailed
explanation, refer to Clinical Application In Practice.
______________________________________________

Summary and Outlook
5. Summary and Outlook While we are still in the early stages of this paradigm shift,
emerging conceptual models such as the one presented in this
White Paper promise to pave the way for a future of medicine
Bioregulatory systems medicine expands the toolbox of medical that is cost effective, patient-centered, and better able to
practitioners, offering solutions to improve and modernize the achieve ideal medical outcomes.
current paradigm in line with innovative scientific discoveries
and thinking. The bioregulatory approach enhances our
ability to address the complexity of diseases we face today,
benefiting clinicians and patients seeking to resolve acute
and chronic conditions while avoiding the harmful side
effects of treatments. Looking ahead, ongoing research in
systems biology promises to further strengthen the scientific
landscape of bioregulatory approaches in medicine. Empirical
evidence from clinical experience and the development of
patient registries will continue to validate its ability to resolve
chronic conditions. Bioregulatory systems medicine does
not dismiss the undeniable value of current medicine; rather,
it expands the current medical approach and broadens the
clinical toolbox. Whereas current medicine is often criticized
for focusing too heavily on the alleviation of symptoms, the
bioregulatory approach recognizes the value of symptoms
as guidance for better understanding patient autoregulatory
abilities. Bioregulatory systems medicine supports the
autoregulatory network as a means for reaching resolution,
rather than compromising or interfering with it in the interest
of targeting a specific stressor.
Our purpose in developing this model was to identify and

articulate the relationships among the scientific and clinical
elements of bioregulatory systems medicine in a way that
could trigger and sustain a novel, patient-centric practice
transformation and, in turn, lead to improvement in patient
outcomes. Whereas the practical and theoretical implications
of the model have been discussed, its scientific validity,
robustness, and effectiveness in the clinical context still need to
be validated. Therefore, the next steps in realizing the potential
of BrSM to enhance current medicine are the development of
formal diagnostics and ongoing research in the scientific and
clinical communities. For example, the ability to measure
the multiple networks involved in disease processes will be a
critical step in addressing disease at the systems level. Whole
genome transcriptome analysis provides an optimal analytic
tool for understanding the genomic quantification of disease
progression and health-disease status. High resolution
transcriptome maps of disease will allow for the identification
of therapeutic targets and will further guide diagnosis and
medication design, thereby enhancing the practical value of
the BrSM model.
Future integration of these diagnostic techniques will provide

a more detailed picture of disease progression, allowing
for therapeutic decisions to be adjusted depending on the
position of the intervention outcome on the disease-health
continuum. Modeling disease as a network will lead to novel
diagnostic systems tailored to multitarget therapies that may
reflect system complexity more accurately than the current
paradigm.

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Appendices
7. Appendices 67 Excessive breakdown of the extracellular matrix

components is associated with altered levels of reactive
oxygen species (ROS) that can result in modification of
7.1 Appendix A: Statements by multiple molecular networks and subsequent pathology.
Cluster 68 The extracellular matrix links signals from the
microenvironment (e.g. neural, hormonal, biochemical
Cluster 1: Microenvironment Response to Inflammation and biophysical) to the cytoplasm and then the nucleus,
thereby directly influencing transcription patterns.
1 The extracellular matrix is involved in the initiation and
resolution of the inflammatory response. 79 Environmental toxins and metabolic waste products can
potentially accumulate in the extracellular matrix and
5 An active lymphatic system that promotes lymphatic cause disease.
drainage and cell migration is essential for the resolution
of inflammation. Cluster 3: Inflammation Physiology
25 The detection of inflammatory mediator patient profiles 2 Local inflammatory pathways and mechanisms in
could help to identify and locate resolution blockages the body are mirrored by and related to systemic
and underlying pathologies. inflammation, which is one of the underlying pathological
mechanisms of many diseases.
42 The communication between the cell and
microenvironment is bidirectional, and forms the basis of 6 Inflammation where the mechanisms of normal resolution
the homeostatic control of many tissues. are inadequate or suppressed as well as persistent low
grade inflammation resulting from an inability to mount
47 The treatment of a wide range of human disorders an adequate inflammatory response are the major causes
could be improved by stimulation or optimization of the of many diseases.
patients individual inflammation resolution process.
15 Chronic inflammation often leads to tissue injury, scarring
91 The global autoregulatory network, including input from and fibrosis.
neural and hormonal pathways, influences the overall
form and function of the extracellular matrix. 17 Inflammation is a part of the immune response, which
can be triggered by exogenous and endogenous stimuli in
98 Inflammatory reactions often occur within distinct either non-sterile or sterile environments.
microenvironments composed of tissue-specific cells,
(fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages) and 36 Acute inflammation supports the removal of damaged
their highly specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) tissue.
components.
41 The balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors,
Cluster 2: Biological Communication at the Micro- including external signals, determines the inflammatory
environment-Scale status.
39 The extracellular matrix is the part of the immunological 43 The purpose of any acute inflammatory response is to
synapse that occurs in the cell microenvironment eliminate disturbances that are interfering with normal
between antigens and antigen presenting cells. conditions and therefore restore functionality and
homeodynamics/homeostasis to the tissue.
62 The extracellular matrix, intracellular cytoskeleton and
nuclear matrix are directly interconnected through a 50 The physiological mechanisms of inflammation are
chain of commonly utilized molecules. necessary to maintain health and to return from the
disease state to a homeostatic healthy state.
66 The extracellular matrix is involved in the progression
of almost any chronic disease, most prominently in any 52 Resolution of inflammation is steered by multiple
fibrotic disease, most solid tumors, arthritis, osteoporosis, endogenous anti-inflammatory and proresolution
COPD and emphysema. molecules and pathways.

Appendices
74 Inflammation that is suppressed during its normal inflammatory mediators and mechanisms that optimize
pathway or is non-resolving causes or contributes to the (time) course of inflammation resolution.
pathological states.
14 Evaluating a disease within disease-health continuum is
83 Inflammation is regulated by an orchestra of molecules, an important tool for bioregulatory systems medicine in
and persists whenever a component of the complex order to design the treatment and follow-up.
signaling pathway fails or gets lost.
16 When certain heritable diseases and diseases where
84 An acute inflammatory response is an adaptive response organ failure and tissue damage are at the point at which
that should not be blocked and possibly even initiated in autoregulation is impossible to restore, bioregulatory
order to induce resolution and restore homeodynamics/ systems medicine can be used to treat symptoms and
homeostasis in a tissue. prevent sequelae, rather than as a standalone treatment.
88 The ideal outcome of acute inflammation is complete 26 The variety of pathways and molecules involved in the
resolution. complex response to inflammation points to the necessity
of multitarget/multicomponent medications.
94 There are many different potential triggers for
inflammation other than damage and infection including 46 Functional somatic syndromes including rhinitis,
dysregulated cell metabolism, hyperpermeable mucosal fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome often share
membrane barriers and alterations of the extracellular similar blocks to autoregulation.
matrix.
57 Chronic diseases associated with aging can be potentially
95 Certain physiological functions (e.g. epithelial cell better managed with a multitarget approach.
turnover in the intestinal tract for the maintenance
of barrier integrity) rely on a constitutive level of 59 A patients individual position along the health-disease
inflammatory signals. continuum in conjunction with the identified stressor(s)
will determine the treatment strategy.
Cluster 4: Inflammatory Network Response to Perturbation
63 Bioregulatory systems medicine can serve as an adjuvant
4 Inflammation has various physiological purposes treatment to reduce polypharmacy, provide effective and
and is induced by exogenous as well as endogenous safe relief of symptoms, and prevent cascade iatrogenesis.
stressors released during tissue injury, tissue stress and
malfunctioning. 64 Functional somatic syndromes are excellent targets
for bioregulatory systems medicine due to their
19 The loss of molecular order in the cell triggers multifactorial network pathophysiology and the lack of
inflammation. effective medical solutions currently available.
21 Functionally capable auto-regulating tissue induces acute 69 Numerous diseases including asthma, chronic
inflammation response when molecular order is lost in an rhinosinusitis, atopic eczema, chronic fatigue syndrome
effort to restore and maintain order in the system. and fibromyalgia syndrome are all influenced by a breach
in the integrity of epithelial membranes.
22 The human body has the capability to synthesize and
control regulatory molecules that promote and resolve 75 When treating conditions of severe regulation rigidity
inflammation. without adequate and timely restoration of regulation,
a more comprehensive treatment program is necessary
Cluster 5: Clinical Focus on Dysregulation to remove all stressors and blocks to autoregulation/
compensation, and to apply the appropriate courses of
bioregulating medicines.
3 Atopic diseases, as examples of Th2 regulation rigidity, are
well suited for bioregulatory intervention due to the fact
that only symptomatic medical solutions are currently 96 Chronic disease management should move towards
available. holistic, multi-modal integrated care, and multi-scale,
multi-level system approaches.
9 Bioregulatory systems medicine supports the bodys
autoregulatory system, thereby triggering endogenous

Appendices
Cluster 6: Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology 92 Medications with bioregulatory properties influence

tissues by helping to restore molecular coherence.
7 Multi-combination and/or multi-system low dose
medications, preferably of natural origin, are well suited 99 The concurrent and gentle use of more than one natural
for the bioregulatory medical approach and offer the substance in alignment with a network medicine
potential for a graded response to treatment. approach may offer a safe and effective alternative to the
current medical paradigm.
12 Inhibitory pharmacologic intervention is an option of
choice when a single disease causative factor is identified Cluster 7: Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy
and must be eliminated and there is insufficient time
to complete a proper bioregulatory treatment (e.g. the 10 Fully integrated bioinformatical models will help to
treatment of acute MI or stroke). mechanistically explain disease states and support the
development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
31 Bioregulatory systems medicine is a method of choice
in treating multifactorial disease when restoration of 28 Treatment of a symptom alone, without considering the
homeodynamics is still achievable. underlying cause, can disturb the autoregulatory process.
34 A multicomponent, multitarget medical management 29 A more detailed molecular picture of disease evolution
model may be a solution to current inadequate treatments will lead to novel treatments, which may involve targeting
for multi-factorial diseases such as dementia, certain whole networks.
cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders
such as Type II Diabetes and metabolic syndrome. 30 Bioregulatory medical interventions can range from
supporting auto-regulatory capacity to actively
45 The functions of medications with bioregulatory provoking a stimulus to restore and clear the blocks to
properties are determined by natural combination autoregulation capabilities.
chemistry and synergy.
35 Integration of all molecular diagnostic techniques will
51 The efficacy of a complex medication is determined by provide a more detailed picture of disease evolution.
its ability to influence multiple interactions to reverse the
clinical picture of disease. 60 Novel diagnostic solutions, including measuring heart
rate variability, complex molecular biomarker panels
53 Multicomponent medications target multiple nodes of a and omics technologies including whole-blood deep
perturbed molecular network simultaneously. sequencing, will allow for the assessment of the global
autoregulation/compensation state and the organisms
54 Bioregulatory therapies should be considered in the response to the bioregulatory treatment.
context of biological rhythms.
61 Therapeutic decisions in bioregulatory systems
71 Medications with bioregulatory properties can act on medicine are made based on the capacity of the affected
multiple organ systems and multiple targets in disease- autoregulatory network in relation to the causative
related molecular networks simultaneously. stressor.
72 Biological information of regulatory networks can be 73 In diseases with a chronic relapsing course and relatively
directly and purposefully influenced with multitarget and good health during the remission period, regulation can
multicomponent medications. be regained by eliminating the stressor (spontaneously or
via appropriate medical intervention), clearing the block
77 When multiple independent targets of the same pathway to autoregulation, or supporting the auto-regulatory
are inhibited simultaneously, a mild inhibition of each network.
target is sufficient to achieve a much larger therapeutic
window and a therapeutically relevant effect. 76 The modeling of a disease as a molecular/cellular network
will lead to the development of novel diagnostic test
90 Medications that neither block nor interfere with systems tailored to multitarget therapies.
endogenous resolution pathways will help to reduce
therapy side-effects and promote long-term benefits. 80 The degree of the bodys dysregulation can be classified
into basic patterns which then serve to make therapeutic

Appendices
decisions. 23 There is a high level of molecular coherence in healthy

tissues and the loss of molecular order corrupts healthy
86 Medications with bioregulatory properties should not information flow in the tissue.
permanently interfere with the bodys autoregulation
networks. 27 Robust molecular networks are able to autoregulate in
order to restore or adapt its functional state in response
93 A clinical model that guides therapeutic decision-making to external inputs.
based on assessment of tissue molecular networks in the
context of the patients auto-regulatory ability is better 48 Disease progression is characterized by an increase in the
suited for accurate prediction of disease outcomes, thermal degrees of freedom and, as a result, a decrease in
intervention follow-up and disease prevention. the molecular coherence of the affected tissues.
100 Diagnostic measurements should be expanded 49 Sustained corruption of healthy information flow leads
beyond current markers to include the assessment of to the failure of regulatory networks ability to restore
autoregulatory networks and blocks to autoregulation. molecular order.
Cluster 8: Patient Health-Disease Continuum 55 Diseases that share molecular/cellular networks show
phenotypic similarity and comorbidity (e.g. the link
37 Symptoms are an expression of the response of the between atherosclerosis and obesity).
autoregulatory system to a stressor.
56 The majority of diseases share a certain number of
58 The progression of a disease is facilitated by disturbed or common molecular functional modules, each associated
inadequate autoregulatory abilities of the organism. with a pathophysiological process.
65 In any individual patient, disease interconnectedness 70 A network approach can be used to identify common
(by shared molecular events) represents the individuals pathological threads between seemingly unrelated
disease evolution, reflected in the patients medical diseases, to improve the understanding of the
history. pathogenesis and therefore, to aide in the discovery of
the most influential therapeutic access points.
78 Simulating the dynamic evolution of health-to-disease
processes can be used to predict the response of a whole 81 Signals from the microenvironment directly influence
inflammatory/wound-healing system, rather than the many functional modules of molecular networks
response of particular inflammatory mediators. representing physiological processes, including
angiogenesis, development of certain glands and wound
healing.
97 Disease progression is the result of an auto-regulatory
process that is disturbed or challenged by an
overwhelming stressor and cannot function adequately 87 Robustness is the ability to maintain homeodynamics/
to restore homeodynamics. homeostasis of living systems in the face of perturbations
and uncertainty.
102 Lipidomics, metabolomics, genomics and proteomics are
technologies which can help to detect and monitor the 89 Persistent perturbation of molecular networks, including
inflammatory state of a patient in order to diagnose more endogenous responses to specific exogenous insults,
comprehensively. manifests as disease.
Cluster 9: Autoregulation of Biological Networks 101 Many diseases are interconnected by shared molecular
events.
8 A multi-scale network of all molecular components and
their within- and cross-tissue interactions can serve as a Cluster 10: Biological Communication across Multi-Scale
global autoregulation model of the human organism. Networks
20 Blocks to autoregulation are etiological factors that 11 The informational nature of a human organism as a
maintain persistent network perturbation and restrict the biological system allows for the creation of mathematical
network from autoregulating towards resolution. models of health and disease.

Appendices
13 A science of systems biology is a holistic approach in is rooted in emerging work in systems biology. Clinicians
biology focused on understanding complex interactions specializing in various medical areas participated, from
in biological systems. specialties including neuroscience, aging, family medicine,
and chronic degenerative diseases. The combination of these
18 There are two major types of biological information: perspectives helped to ensure that the resultant model would
sequence information encoding molecular machines and represent a consensus understanding of bioregulatory systems
regulatory network information controlling the behavior medicine that would resonate with a broad group of global
of the molecular machines. scientists and clinicians.
24 Biological networks are inherently unstable and Participants were asked to sort the 102 statements into
dynamic; their capability to adapt against constantly categorical piles of closely related ideas based on their
changing internal and external inputs is dictated by their meaning, and assign each pile a name to describe its theme or
robustness. contents. Four key instructions guided the structuring activity:
a) all statements could not be placed into a single pile, b) all
statements could not be placed into their own separate piles
32 Information in the living system can be digital (e.g.
(although some statements could be grouped by themselves),
4-digits nucleotide code) or analogous (e.g. 2D-3D spatial
c) statements could not be placed in two piles simultaneously,
structures of molecules).
and d) there could not be any miscellaneous piles (any item
thought to be unique was to be placed in its own separate pile).
33 Tissues and organs can be linked together in networks by Twenty-nine of the forty-three (67%) invitees completed the
the functional interdependencies between them. structuring activity. The aggregation of individual sort data
provided the basis for the concept mapping analysis.
38 Information theory and thermodynamics are fundamental
for understanding the principles of a biological system. The concept mapping analyses were conducted using the
Concept System software program. The first step in the analysis
40 Molecular coherence, which can be defined as the involved the creation of a similarity matrix to represent each
behavior of molecules in the tissue in response to the individuals sort data. In this case, a 102 x 102 binary square
whole network of all other molecules can be quantified as similarity matrix (rows and columns represent statements) was
the ratio between codable systems and thermal degrees created for each participant. Cell values represented whether
of freedom. (1) or not (0) the participant sorted statements into the same
pile. All individual sort matrices (29) were summed to create a
44 Much of the complexity of living organisms stems from single similarity matrix representing how the participant group
complex regulatory networks, rather than from gene as a whole sorted the statements. The aggregated similarity
diversity. matrix was analyzed using a multivariate statistical analysis
called non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) with a
82 Low affinity interactions (especially RNA-protein two-dimensional solution. This analysis enabled the relative
interactions) provide a computational matrix to process similarity among items to be represented in terms of relative
information and to direct action in molecular networks. distance between pairs of points.(Kruskal 1964) From these
analyses, coordinate estimates and a two-dimensional map
of distances between the statements (represented as points)
85 Molecules are informational units that circulate in non-
were generated.
linear, network mode.
The MDS analyses of the similarity matrix converged after 25
7.2 Appendix B: Group Concept iterations, producing a final stress value of 0.25. The stress
value is reported as part of the MDS analysis to indicate the
Mapping Methodological goodness of fit of the two-dimensional configuration to the
Details original similarity matrix. A lower stress value indicates a better
fit and reflects a stronger relationship between the optimal
and actual configurations.(Kruskal 1964) Previous analyses of
Forty-three individuals were invited to participate in the
stress values across multiple concept mapping studies found
web-based sorting activity, including initiative leaders. An
an average of 0.28 and a range of 0.17 to 0.34.(Rosas & Kane
international team of scientific and clinical experts from
2012) Thus, the stress value found with the BrSM model was
various backgrounds ensured that both the strengths and
consistent with those found across numerous typical concept
shortcomings of the current healthcare approach were
mapping projects. The stress value indicates that the point
considered. Scientific experts included those in the fields
map reflects better-than-average relationships between the
of immunology, genomics, molecular biology, and systems
respective optimal configurations and how the points actually
biology, supporting the scientific basis of the approach that

Appendices
appear on the map.
Following the point map generation, hierarchical cluster

analysis was conducted using the two-dimensional x-y
coordinate data obtained from the MDS analysis. Wards
algorithm was applied as the basis for defining the clusters,
(Everitt et al. 2009) and partitioned the MDS configuration into
non-overlapping clusters, such that the items placed in the
same cluster were in contiguous areas of the map. The output
from the cluster analysis was a cluster map, which revealed how
the statements, as represented by points, were grouped into a
set of ten higher-order constructs (clusters). The distances
among the points and clusters are fixed in space; however the
directionality of the map is subjective, and the map could be
rotated in any direction without affecting the distances.
The functional relatedness within and among clusters is

calculated as the percentage of participant sorts between
statements in a given cluster and statements in all other
clusters of the map. Internal relatedness is defined as the
frequency at which participants sorted the statements in a
given cluster with one another, relative to all other statements
on the map. External relatedness is defined as the frequency
at which participants sorted the statements in a given cluster
with the statements in other clusters of the map. In the table
below, the internal relatedness of each cluster is highlighted
in yellow.
Functional relatedness within and among clusters

Figures
8. Figures
Figure 1. Novel considerations of factors affecting disease.
The current medical paradigm (A) typically consider etiological factors, genetic predisposition and molecular pathways recruited
in pathogenesis as key causative agents that lead to disease. Bioregulatory systems medicine (B) also considers the patients
compromised or insufficient autoregulatory capacity to restore homeostasis as a key factor that influences individual disease
incidence and manifestation. Restoration of patient autoregulatory capacity is therefore a primary therapeutic objective in
bioregulatory systems medicine, in addition to removal of triggers, lifestyle changes, and inhibition of pathogenetic pathways,
when appropriate.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 2. Linear versus non-linear causation model.
The fields of molecular biology and medicine have traditionally considered influence and causality among relevant entities as
occurring in a linear manner. This linear framework, often referred to as a reductionist perspective, supports a single-molecule,
single-target approach, whereby a particular biological component (e.g. receptor, gene, etc.) is considered individually and
in isolation when treating disease. More recently, modern technological advances have allowed for a more comprehensive
understanding of the fundamental interconnectedness of biological systems, prompting a reconceptualization toward a non-
linear, systems-based model of physiology and pathophysiology. This integrative view acknowledges the spatial and temporal
interdependencies among multiple molecular and physiological processes, maintaining that a more effective medical approach
utilizes biological networks when treating disease. Bioregulatory systems medicine endorses this network perspective.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 3. Flow diagram of the model development protocol.
The development protocol consisted of five basic consecutive steps. The key properties of the protocol were iterative processes
engaging HCPs and independent scientific experts by establishing the framework of expert group round tables, inquiring for
feedback in almost each step, and employing the Concept Systems algorithm to compute and visualize the emergent consensus
of a larger group of participants. The resultant conceptual clinical application model serves as a basis for research program
development and further experimental validation.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 4. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent Conceptual Model: the Point Map.
In this figure, each point represents one of the 102 statements derived through extensive literature mining and expert consensus,
and considered to represent a key component of the bioregulatory systems medicine conceptual model. A number was assigned
arbitrarily to each of the 102 statements for reference purposes only. The point map displays each of the 102 statements in two
dimensional space based on the aggregation of expert participants sort data and the subjection of that aggregated sort data
to multidimensional scaling. Statements that appear closer to one another on the point map tend to be thought of as more
conceptually similar by those who participated; statements that appear farther apart tend to be thought of as more conceptually
distinct. We refer readers to Appendix A for a full list of the statements represented by the numbers.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 5. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent Conceptual Model: the Cluster Map.
The cluster map represents the 102 statements as they are grouped into higher-order themes based on their arrangement in
the point map (Figure 4). After reviewing the fit of the map content within multiple cluster arrangements, it was agreed that a
ten cluster solution was the most parsimonious representation for meaningfully and heuristically interpreting the relationships
among the individual statements within a smaller set of thematic constructs. Each cluster was subsequently labelled (Figure 6).
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 6. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent Conceptual Model: The Labeled Cluster Map.
The labels assigned to each cluster reflect the shared higher-order themes that describe the specific statements within each cluster
and convey the clusters meaning in the context of the bioregulatory systems medicine paradigm. Cluster labels were derived and
finalized by authors and contributing reviewers that championed the model development initiative. The clusters have been color
coded based on the structural analysis: anchor clusters are marked dark blue, intermediate clusters light blue, and central cluster
middle blue. Refer to the text for a more detailed explanation of the structural cluster analysis.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 7. Multi-scale autoregulatory networks.
Bioregulatory systems medicine encompasses a systems biology perspective of interactions within and across multiple levels of
biological organization. The complexity of a systems approach challenges common reductionist thinking, and paves the way for
medicine that works with rather than against the inherent interconnectivity of biological organization. From the molecular to
cellular to organ to whole organism network, the BrSM model acknowledges that human health and disease are driven by the
regulatory information flow that propagates throughout this global autoregulatory network. Current diagnostic approaches are
limited by capturing only a static snapshot of some of this information. Novel diagnostic approaches will confirm and provide
higher resolution of existing snapshots of clinical information, and will expand its scope by adding (surrogate) biomarkers of
autoregulatory capacity in one spatiotemporal model specific to the patient.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 8. Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology.
A fundamental postulation of bioregulatory systems medicine is that medications with bioregulatory properties facilitate
autoregulation by acting on multiple targets (nodes) in disease-perturbed networks simultaneously. In this way biological
information flow can be directly and purposefully influenced. The efficacy of this multitarget mode of action is determined by the
ability to reverse the clinical picture of disease.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 9. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent Conceptual Model: Dimensions and Anchors.
This figure illustrates the conceptual dimensions and anchors of the model that emerged from the group concept mapping process,
analysis, and interpretation of the interrelationships among the clusters. The vertical dimension in this figure is labeled Resolution
Processes, as the content along this axis relates to participants conceptualization of disease resolution occurring through both
internal and external mechanisms. This dimension is anchored at one end by the Inflammation Physiology cluster, where the model
content relates strongly to the human organisms innate ability to reach disease resolution in the face of perturbation, particularly
as it relates to inflammation process mechanisms. The opposite end of this dimension is anchored by the Bioregulatory Clinical
Pharmacology cluster, where the content most explicitly relates to the use of medications with bioregulatory properties in order to
reach disease resolution. Perpendicular to Resolution Processes is the dimension Biological Information, along which the content
relates to communication within and across micro and macro levels of biological organization. This dimension is anchored at one
end by the Biological Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale cluster, where the content describes communication at the
cellular level, particularly referring to the extracellular matrix. At the opposite end, this dimension is anchored by the Biological
Communication Across Multi-Scale Networks cluster, which describes how biological information flows across molecular (cellular,
tissue, organ) networks at the whole organism level.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 10. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Emergent Conceptual Model: Intermediary Clusters.
The intermediary clusters are spatially located between the anchor clusters, and can be described as conceptual bridges that
relate to their respective neighbouring anchors. The figure below illustrates the statements of each intermediary cluster as
arranged between the clusters corresponding anchors. A statements distance from either anchor reflects the relative strength of
relatedness that participants collectively perceived among that particular statement and the neighboring anchors. The degree to
which the space (blue line) between each anchor is relatively evenly populated with statements may suggest the extent to which
the intermediary cluster effectively functions as a conceptual bridge between the anchors.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 11. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Conceptual Clinical Application Model.
The model is depicted as a unified entity of three integrated levels. The fundamental core consists of four autoregulatory clusters
(white), enveloped by the layer of dysregulation clusters (light blue), which in turn is enclosed by final layer of therapeutic clusters
(dark blue). In this way the model informs the relevant fundamental underpinnings of human biology that result in the clinical
picture observed in individual patients. The proper assessment of this clinical picture guides individualized clinical decision
making that is based on the underlying cause of disease. For a detailed explanation, refer to Clinical Significance and Overarching
Principles.
(back to text)

Figures
Figure 12. Novel conceptualization of disease progression introducing patients autoregulatory status.
Disease progression is commonly understood as the worsening of a disease over time. In 1980, the World Health Organization
published the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) with the objective of providing a
widely accepted structure of the consequences of disease and of implications for the lives of patients. Expanding on this model, this
figure includes a conceptualization of the autoregulatory status of two patients.
A. The concept of disease progression adapted from the 1980 WHO ICIDH model. Blue-to-black colors indicate conceptual disease
worsening stages, and depicts principal milestones between stages. The dashed line indicates that there is no strict sequential
order between stages or milestones, and the linear structure is used for simplicity.
B. A schematic conceptualization of the disease progression as a four-quadrant map. In the BrSM model, this is called
the Patients Health-Disease Continuum. The arrowed dashed lines represent the hypothetical disease progression in
patients X and Y. In contrast to simplified linear concepts focusing on identifying disease stages in decision-making, the
map concept positions these stages in relation to dysregulation parameters represented by horizontal and vertical axes.
In the BrSM model, systemic dysregulation parameters are conceptualized as Inflammatory Network Response to Perturbation,
and local dysregulation parameters are conceptualized as Microenvironment Response to Inflammation. Increased dysregulation
is indicated as the lines move toward the top or right. It is suggested that the ratio between these two dysregulation parameters
theoretically defines the autoregulatory status of a patient. For a detailed explanation, refer to Clinical Application In Practice.
(back to text)

Notes
9. Notes
end notes

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WHITE PAPER

Targeting biological networks

Copyright 2016 Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.

Copyright 2016 Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Yvonne Burmeister, Ph.D.

______________________________________________ Konstantin Cesnulevicius studied medicine at Lithuanian

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Dr. Cesnulevicius joined Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH in

Alyssa Goldman is a Client Services Consultant at Concept

Prior to joining the CSI team, Goldman worked at Cornell

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Director of the TRANSCEND Research Program, Harvard-MIT- Tropical Medicine

Myron Schultz, M.Dip.H.

Myron Schultz is the Head of Medicine at Biologische Heilmittel

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Maria A. Shkolnikova, M.D., Ph.D.

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

1996. She holds memberships and leadership appointments

Dr. Shkolnikova completed her M.D. and Ph.D. in Pediatrics

Georges St. Laurent III served as the Scientific Director of the

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

2. Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model ........................................................................................ 16

2.2.1 Biological Communication Across Multi-Scale Networks......................................................................................19

2.2.2 Autoregulation of Biological Networks...................................................................................................................20

2.2.3 Biological Communication at the Microenvironment-Scale.................................................................................22

2.2.4 Inflammation Physiology........................................................................................................................................23

2.2.5 Inflammatory Network Response to Perturbation................................................................................................24

2.2.6 Microenvironment Response to Inflammation......................................................................................................25

2.2.7 Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategy...................................................................................................................26

2.2.8 Clinical Focus on Dysregulation..............................................................................................................................27

2.2.9 Bioregulatory Clinical Pharmacology.....................................................................................................................28

2.2.10 Patient Health-Disease Continuum......................................................................................................................31

3. Interpretation of the Bioregulatory Systems Medicine Model...................................................... 33

4. Clinical Application In Practice ..................................................................................................... 39

5. Summary and Outlook.................................................................................................................... 41

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Glossary events, such that correlations between phenotypes can

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

Molecular coherence: the higher order stability in the

Network perturbation: disturbance that causes structural

Non-linear: the idea (or model) suggesting that biological

Physiological inflammation: a stereotyped tightly

Reductionist: in biology, a view that biological systems

Robustness: an ubiquitously observed property of

Stem cells: pluripotent cells that can divide and

Systems biology: a study of biology that applies principles

Systems theory: a theory of scientific exploration

Systems medicine: the implementation of systems

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

1. Introduction the development of exceptional surgical and emergency care

As more individuals present with more complex symptoms, it

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

network itself, then, offers a novel therapeutic access point

The field of medical science most aligned with this perspective

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

achieved through internal and external means. The document

Figure 2. Linear versus non-linear causation model. The

In this white paper, we describe a process used to aggregate

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.

The initiative leaders selected group concept mapping as the

Bioregulatory Systems Medicine. White Paper.